Crimson Desert
News, coverage and analysis tracking Crimson Desert across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Crimson Desert FAQ confirms no cross-save and day-one patch
Crimson Desert will not feature cross-save functionality and will receive a day-one patch. Digital Foundry's analysis suggests the game will offer a phenomenal experience on PlayStation 5 Pro, with potential for impressive visuals and high frame-rates, though performance on base PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series consoles remains to be seen.
Coming Out in gaming this week — March 16, 2026
This week's gaming releases include Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War, The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin, MLB The Show 26, Elemental: Reforged, Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun (Port), Crimson Desert, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach (Port), Ghost Master: Resurrection, and Rubato. Several titles are launching on PC and PlayStation 5, with others appearing on Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch.
Crimson Desert's Mandatory PS5 Update Sparks Debate About Games Which Break Street Date
Crimson Desert's requirement for a mandatory PlayStation 5 update to play physical copies has ignited debate about game preservation and street date integrity. While some see it as a necessary measure to prevent leaks, others criticize it as anti-consumer and a threat to ownership, especially in light of concerns about game preservation and DRM.
These 20+ New PS5, PS4, and PS Plus Games This Week (16th-22nd March)
This week sees a significant number of new game releases for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, including Crimson Desert, The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin, and MLB The Show 26. Additionally, several titles are being added to PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium tiers, such as Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 and Persona 5 Royal.
These 20+ New PS5, PS4, and PS Plus Games Next Week (16th-22nd March)
The week of March 16th-22nd will see over 20 new game releases across PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4, including major titles like Crimson Desert, The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin, and MLB The Show 26. Additionally, several games are being added to PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium tiers, such as Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 and Persona 5 Royal.
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.
Crimson Desert Release Times: What Time Can You Start Playing?
Crimson Desert will have a single global release time, with availability varying by region on March 19th or 20th, 2026. The game's file size is approximately 83.86GB on PlayStation 5 and 92GB on PC. Reviews for the game are now available, with the PC version holding a 78 on Metacritic.
Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 624
This weekend's gaming discussion focuses on clearing backlogs before the release of Crimson Desert. Contributors share their progress on games like Resident Evil Requiem, Honkai: Star Rail, and Zenless Zone Zero, with mentions of revisiting classics like Jurassic Park 2: The Chaos Continues and Castlevania II: Belmont's Revenge on Game Boy.
Betawatch: Shadowstone kicks off playtesting, EVE Frontier plods onward
This week's Betawatch covers numerous games entering playtesting phases, including Secret Door's Shadowstone and Dreamhaven's Sunderfolk. EVE Frontier continues development with new features, while Swordeye, Scars of Honor, and MapleStory Classic World are also highlighted for upcoming tests. The article also provides a comprehensive list of games currently in open or closed testing, differentiating between the two and noting those that appear to be malingering.
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.
Official PlayStation Podcast Episode 536: Legendary Cooperation
The Official PlayStation Podcast episode 536 features discussions on upcoming releases like The Seven Deadly Sins: Origin, MLB The Show 26, Crimson Desert, and Death Stranding 2. The episode includes an interview with Darren Bridges, Lead Designer at Sucker Punch, about Ghost of Yōtei Legends, and highlights updates for Helldivers 2, Tomb Raider I-III Remastered, and Little Nightmares: Altered Echoes for PS VR2.
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.
Every Game on EGS That Comes With A Fortnite Skin Or Accessory
Epic Games is significantly increasing its promotions where purchasing games on the Epic Games Store grants players cosmetic items in Fortnite. Titles like Resident Evil Requiem, Crimson Desert, Honkai Star Rail, and Borderlands 4 are among those offering skins, emotes, or accessories. These deals are exclusive to PC and mobile purchases made through the Epic Games Store.
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.