Crimson Desert
News, coverage and analysis tracking Crimson Desert across the outlets.
Latest coverage
Crimson Desert does what other games do backwards and that's why it's a beautiful freak of nature, says imsim…
Dinga Bakaba, studio director at Arkane Lyon, praises Crimson Desert for its unique approach to game design, noting that it functions opposite to most games by introducing new mechanics and systems gradually. He highlights how the game maintains player engagement through friction and depth, rather than rapid consumption, a quality he finds appealing for immersive sim enthusiasts.
Crimson Desert now has a detailed female character creator mod so you no longer have to play as "Temu Jon Snow"
A new mod for Crimson Desert on PC adds a detailed female character creator, addressing the lack of customization options in the base game. The mod, available on Nexus Mods, offers numerous hairstyles and face presets, and future updates plan to include male character customization and additional races. This modding effort contrasts with Pearl Abyss's previous game, Black Desert Online, which was known for its robust character creation tools.
"Fantasy-style GTA" open-world game reportedly canceled after 2 years of work at Nexon
Nexon has reportedly canceled its unannounced open-world fantasy game, codenamed Project EL, after approximately two years of development. The game was described as a "fantasy-style GTA" and was being developed by a team led by director Shim Ki-hoon. This cancellation comes shortly after Patrick Söderlund was appointed as Nexon's executive chairman.
Japanese Charts: Switch 2 Hits Another Milestone As Pokémon Pokopia's Reign Continues
The latest Japanese physical game sales charts show Pokémon Pokopia remaining at number one, with its total sales approaching 1 million units. The Switch 2 console also reached a significant milestone, surpassing 5 million units sold in Japan. Other consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X saw considerably lower hardware sales compared to the Switch 2.
Crimson Desert is finally playable on Intel Arc GPUs after driver update — but there's still plenty of work…
Crimson Desert is now playable on Intel Arc GPUs following a recent driver update, though visual glitches persist. The game previously lacked official support, leading to user frustration and refund requests. Pearl Abyss and Intel are expected to release further updates to fully resolve compatibility and visual issues.
After Crimson Desert Apology, the Boss of PUBG Says He Doesn’t Care if a Developer Uses AI for Artwork ‘If They Make Good Gameplay’
Following an apology for Crimson Desert, the head of PUBG stated that the use of AI for artwork by developers is acceptable as long as it results in good gameplay. This suggests a pragmatic approach to AI integration in game development, prioritizing player experience over the origin of artistic assets.
Famitsu Sales: 3/30/26 – 4/5/26
Famitsu has released its estimated physical game software sales data for Japan for the week of March 30, 2026, to April 5, 2026. Pokemon Pokopia for Switch 2 was the top-selling game, while the Switch 2 also led hardware sales. The report details software and hardware unit sales for various platforms including PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series.
Famitsu sales (3/30/26 – 4/5/26) – Nintendo Switch 2 leads hardware sales
The latest Japanese hardware sales data from Famitsu shows the Nintendo Switch 2 leading with 59,543 units sold for the week of March 30 to April 5. PlayStation 5 followed with 12,141 units. Software charts indicate Pokemon Pokopia as the top seller on the Switch 2, with Minecraft and Animal Crossing: New Horizons also performing well on the original Nintendo Switch.
Crimson Desert Fans Find The Best NPCs To Be Besties With
Fans of Pearl Abyss' Crimson Desert have identified key NPCs to befriend for benefits like increased vendor stock and discounts. Players can raise an NPC's trust level to 100 through interaction, gifts, and purchases to unlock these advantages. The game has sold 4 million copies since its March 19 launch on consoles and PC.
Crimson Desert might have an enemy density problem, fans worry as they approach endgame
Players are expressing concerns about Crimson Desert's enemy density, particularly as they approach the endgame. The scarcity of combat encounters makes it difficult to complete challenges, farm Abyss Artifacts for skill progression, and upgrade gear. Fans suggest solutions like respawning enemies in camps or introducing random combat events to improve the player experience.
Crimson Desert lets you watch NPCs build statues and bridges in real-time which Kingdom Come: Deliverance director…
Crimson Desert features a unique camp management system where players can observe NPCs constructing statues and bridges in real-time. This detailed simulation, highlighted by a timelapse of statue creation, was noted by Kingdom Come: Deliverance director Daniel Vávra. The game aims to offer ambitious scale with niche features despite some design frustrations.
Crimson Desert is finally running on Intel Arc GPUs after early snub
A new Intel graphics driver has resolved an issue preventing Crimson Desert from launching on Intel Arc GPUs. While this update allows players to access the game for the first time, persistent bugs and crashes indicate that optimization for Intel hardware is still incomplete. Further updates are expected to improve the overall experience.
Road to Vostok's hot start on Steam has "secured the entire production budget" the Finnish survival shooter needs for "years to come", dev says
Road to Vostok, a solo-developed survival shooter, has achieved a highly successful early access launch on Steam, with its developer Antti Leionen stating that the initial sales have secured the game's production budget for years to come. The game is currently a top seller in multiple countries, including Finland, and has received positive player ratings. Leionen plans for approximately 2-4 years of early access development, with future updates including more maps, traders, tasks, weapons, and complex features like mod support.
Crimson Desert Player Earns Platinum in 56-Hour Sessions, Leaving Pearl Abyss Stunned
A dedicated Crimson Desert player achieved the Platinum trophy by playing for 56 consecutive hours, a feat that reportedly stunned developer Pearl Abyss. This extreme gaming session highlights player dedication to trophy collection.
Crimson Desert Player Earns Platinum in 56-Hour Sessions, Leaving Pearl Abyss Stunned
A player in Crimson Desert achieved a platinum trophy in just 56 hours, a feat that reportedly stunned developer Pearl Abyss. The article also touches on gold farming methods within the game, noting its importance for upgrades and gear.
New Crimson Desert mod brings female character creator & a male version is coming
A new mod for Crimson Desert, created by Khione95, introduces a character creator with 98 face presets and 159 hairstyles. The modder has also announced plans to release a male version of the character creator in the future.
Crimson Desert Player Shocks Pearl Abyss with 56-Hour Platinum Marathon
A player achieved the Platinum trophy in Crimson Desert in an astonishing 56 hours, a feat that reportedly stunned developer Pearl Abyss. This accomplishment has generated significant buzz within the PlayStation community and highlights the dedication of some gamers to push boundaries and set new benchmarks for game completion.
15 More Insane Details You May Have Missed in Crimson Desert
This article highlights numerous small but impressive details discovered in Crimson Desert, ranging from dynamic NPC reactions to environmental effects impacting gameplay. It emphasizes the game's attention to detail in its open world, encouraging players to explore and observe their surroundings to uncover hidden mechanics and features.
Crimson Desert’s Late Game Is Hurt by One Massive Flaw
Crimson Desert's late game is significantly hampered by a design flaw where enemies do not respawn after being cleared, leading to an empty world and an inability to engage with core combat systems. This issue prevents players from testing builds, completing certain challenges, and fully enjoying the game's combat focus. Potential solutions include enemy respawn mechanics, faction wars, or a New Game Plus mode.
Crimson Desert’s First Region Is Almost Too Good To Leave
Crimson Desert's initial region, Hernand, is so rich with content and engaging storylines that players are spending dozens of hours there before venturing into other areas. The region's intricate politics, numerous factions, and deep questlines make it feel like a complete game in itself, showcasing strong game design that immerses players in its world. This density suggests the remaining four regions will offer a similarly compelling experience.
