Pearl Abyss has delayed Crimson Desert again, shifting its release into Q1 2026. The medieval open-world RPG, first revealed in 2019, has already faced several setbacks. Originally planned as a prequel MMO to Black Desert Online, it has since evolved into a single-player adventure, drawing comparisons to Dragon’s Dogma and Tears of the Kingdom.

The studio had previously targeted late 2025, but its Q2 2025 earnings call confirmed the slip. Voice-over work, console certification, and coordination with distribution partners have taken longer than expected. Pearl Abyss says the delay is a strategic move to ensure a polished launch.

No release date announced for Crimson Desert

The exact release date is locked in internally but won’t be announced yet. The company previously shot down rumours of a November 2025 launch, and now that’s officially off the table.

Fans won’t be left empty-handed this year, though. A playable demo will be at Gamescom 2025 later this month, followed by PAX West and the Tokyo Game Show in September.

Crimson Desert is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC via Steam. It might be a longer wait, but Pearl Abyss insists the finish line is in sight.

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