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One of the most highly anticipated games of the year, Crimson Desert by Pearl Abyss, has been postponed to the first quarter of 2026. This development may not come as a shock to many fans, as the developers are integrating a wide variety of game mechanics into the project, making it a highly ambitious and distinctive title.
According to Gematsu, Pearl Abyss, renowned for its Korean action MMORPG Black Desert Online, announced during a conference call:
“The launch of Crimson Desert, our first major AAA console game, has been inevitably delayed by one quarter from its previous schedule. The delay stems from extended timelines caused by scheduling coordination and collaborations with multiple partners for offline distribution, voice work, console certification, and other launch preparations.”
The studio expressed regret for not achieving the “fourth quarter launch schedule” and emphasized that the delay is essential for the game’s success.
Pearl Abyss also stated, “The release date has been internally set for Q1 2026. However, given the changes to the release timeline, we will announce the specific date at a more appropriate time based on business considerations, rather than making an announcement at Gamescom next week.”
Crimson Desert Delayed to 2026
Crimson Desert was first announced in 2020 and has been reportedly in development since 2018. While initially introduced as an MMORPG, the developers confirmed the final version will be a single-player, story-driven game featuring RPG elements.
The upcoming game is creating significant excitement among gamers due to its ambitious combat system, which combines mechanics borrowed from several titles in the genre, including an unusual incorporation of wrestling and grappling moves.
A recent gameplay trailer has kept the hype alive, with over 3.8 million views on YouTube. A fan commented beneath the trailer, “I thought of The Witcher 3, Assassin’s Creed, Monster Hunter, KCD, Dragon’s Dogma, Dark Souls, and more when watching the trailers for this game… I really hope it turns out great. This could have the most interactive world and gameplay variety in any RPG I’ve ever seen.”
Another fan remarked, “This is going to be remembered as a masterpiece.”
— The Game Awards (@thegameawards), August 13, 2025
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