Pearl Abyss
Pearl Abyss business and news from across the web.
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Crimson Desert makes last-minute change to Steam release with the addition of infamous Denuvo DRM
Pearl Abyss has added Denuvo DRM protection to Crimson Desert's PC version on Steam just three days before its March 19th launch. This last-minute change has caused discontent among players concerned about potential performance issues, with some considering console versions or canceling preorders. The impact of Denuvo on the game's performance remains to be seen.
This week in PC games: Crimson Desert and Death Stranding 2 plus frogs, cubes and one amazingly menacing chicken
This week's PC game releases include a variety of genres, from grid-based battles in Bonnie Bear Saves Frogtime to survival RPG elements in Everwind. Notable titles include the PC version of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach and Crimson Desert, an action-RPG from XLGAMES. Other releases span from bug-fighting simulations to narrative-driven experiences and extraction games.
All Crimson Desert launch Twitch Drops rewards and how to get them
This guide details the Twitch Drops rewards available during the launch of Crimson Desert, developed by Pearl Abyss. Players can earn free in-game items over two weeks by watching enabled streams on Twitch and linking their accounts. The guide also references how the system worked for Black Desert as a precursor.
Star Wars: Galactic Racer is Getting a Physical Release as Part of Partnership With PLAION
PLAION and Secret Mode are partnering for the global physical release of the upcoming racing game Star Wars: Galactic Racer. The title is in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, and will feature a campaign, arcade mode, and multiplayer. The game's story centers on a lone racer named Shade competing in an unsanctioned racing league.
Feature: Inside Pearl Abyss, the Ambitious Studio Behind PS5's Massive Crimson Desert
Pearl Abyss, the ambitious South Korean studio behind Black Desert Online, is preparing for the mainstream launch of its open-world action-adventure game, Crimson Desert, for PlayStation 5 and other platforms. The article provides an in-depth look at the company's state-of-the-art Seoul headquarters, highlighting its extensive employee amenities and advanced development facilities, including motion capture studios and proprietary engine BlackSpace.
Crimson Desert Release Times: When Can You Start Playing?
Crimson Desert will launch globally on March 19th or 20th, 2026, depending on the player's time zone. Pre-loading will be available 48 hours prior to release. Review embargo information is not yet official but is expected the day before launch.
Opinion: Crimson Desert Could Be PS5 Game of the Year, or a Total Mess
Crimson Desert has the potential to be a generation-defining open world adventure or a messy failure due to its ambitious scope and numerous mechanics. Developer Pearl Abyss has clarified it is not an RPG, aiming to manage player expectations. The game's success will depend on whether it can deliver on its vast promises without crumbling under its own weight.
Crimson Desert Drops Official Launch Trailer, Release Date Incoming
Pearl Abyss has released the official launch trailer for their highly anticipated open-world action RPG, Crimson Desert. The trailer signals the end of a long development cycle and suggests a release date is imminent. The game promises to blend intense combat with expansive exploration, featuring a distinct dark fantasy aesthetic.
Crimson Desert dev says not to worry about Denuvo, because the impressive PC preview builds they've shown already had the DRM and are "representative of the final consumer's experience"
Pearl Abyss has confirmed that Crimson Desert will feature Denuvo anti-piracy technology, addressing concerns about potential performance impacts. The developer stated that preview builds, including those used for benchmarks and by Digital Foundry, already included Denuvo and are representative of the final consumer experience.
What is Crimson Desert and why is it getting so much buzz?
Crimson Desert, an open-world action RPG from Pearl Abyss, is generating significant buzz ahead of its March 19, 2026 release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The game, set in the same universe as Black Desert Online, features a protagonist named Kliff and combines elements of Devil May Cry combat with exploration akin to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and a world reminiscent of The Witcher 3. The game's ambition, its proprietary BlackSpace engine, and impressive trailers have contributed to the hype.
Crimson Desert finally gets PS5 Pro footage and 'overall performance across the three modes is impressive' but…
Digital Foundry has provided an in-depth look at Crimson Desert running on the PlayStation 5 Pro, praising its ray tracing technology across performance, balanced, and quality modes. While the performance mode generally achieves its 60fps target, occasional dips occur in densely populated areas. The analysis suggests that console performance is promising, despite the lack of official PS5 and Xbox Series X|S footage.
Next Week on Xbox: New Games for March 16 to 20
This weekly feature highlights new games launching on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Game Pass between March 16 and March 20. The list includes a variety of genres, from sports simulations like MLB The Show 26 to action-adventure titles such as Crimson Desert and horror games like The Wellmonts Case.
Crimson Desert blocks spoilers by locking down the RPG's physical copies that shipped early, but some players worry it's a "slippery slope" for game preservation
Crimson Desert is taking controversial measures to prevent spoilers by making physical copies unplayable until the official release date, requiring a mandatory update and an internet connection. This has sparked debate among players regarding game preservation, with some concerned about long-term access to offline single-player games if storefronts or internet connections fail.
Crimson Desert Console Gameplay Footage Finally Released, But There's A Catch
New console gameplay footage for Crimson Desert has been released, showcasing the PlayStation 5 Pro version. While the game performed well across various visual modes, concerns remain regarding CPU demands. Developer Pearl Abyss addressed player skepticism about console versions, emphasizing their commitment to transparency ahead of the March 19 release on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
28th Annual IGF Award Winners Revealed
The 28th annual Independent Games Festival (IGF) Award winners have been revealed, celebrating innovative indie titles. Titanium Court won the Seumas McNally Grand Prize, while Poco took home Best Student Game. The ceremony honored excellence in design, visual art, audio, narrative, and audience choice awards.
Cakehoarder Fire & Ice RGX 2026 Guest of Honor
Content creator Cakehoarder has been announced as a Guest of Honor at Fire & Ice RGX 2026, a retro gaming event. Cakehoarder is known for his extensive Nintendo GameCube collection and YouTube channel. The article also briefly mentions updates for Grand Theft Auto Online, SEED, Summoners War, Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth, Crimson Desert, and MONGIL: STAR DIVE.
The Community Series Showcase Live in GTA Online
Rockstar Games is celebrating the GTA Online Creator community with a three-week event featuring Triple GTA$ and RP on The Community Series. Players can earn in-game currency through various weekly challenges and bonuses, with special vehicles and clothing items available. The article also briefly mentions new trailers and releases for SEED, Summoners War, Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth, Crimson Desert, MONGIL: STAR DIVE, and 007 First Light.
Crimson Desert – 15 New Details That Have Us Excited
Crimson Desert is shaping up to be an expansive open-world action-adventure game with RPG elements, offering deep combat systems, NPC interaction, cooking, and even animal husbandry. The game will feature advanced graphical options, including ray tracing, and will support the PlayStation 5 Pro's PSSR upgrade for enhanced visuals.
Crimson Desert Supports FSR 4 and DLSS 4.5 on PC, Online Connection Required for Initial Set-up
Pearl Abyss has confirmed that Crimson Desert will support AMD FSR 3 and 4, and Nvidia DLSS 4 and 4.5 on PC, including features like Ray Regeneration and Reconstruction. Consoles will utilize FSR 3, with the PS5 Pro featuring Upgraded PSSR, and Mac users will have access to MetalFX Upscaler and Frame Generation. An internet connection is required for initial setup, but the game can be played offline afterward. Cross-save will not be supported.
Crimson Desert PS5 Concern as Physical Copies Won't Run without Download
Upcoming RPG Crimson Desert will require an internet connection and a day one patch download to be fully installed on PlayStation 5, even for physical copies, as the Blu-ray disc does not contain the complete game. While the game can be played offline after the initial update, this requirement is a concern for game preservation advocates. The full game is expected to be around 150GB.
