South Korea-based video game studio Pearl Abyss has officially delayed the release of its upcoming open-world RPG, Crimson Desert.
The single-player adventure title, scheduled to launch near the end of 2025, is now expected sometime during Q1 2026.
Pearl Abyss announced the delay during its latest earnings call, citing “longer than expected timelines arising from schedule coordination and collaborations with multiple partners for offline distribution, voiceovers, console certification, and other launch preparations.”
The team divulged more details in its call with investors (transcribed by Gematsu):
“The launch of Crimson Desert, our first large-scale AAA console game, has been unavoidably delayed by one quarter, from the previously announced schedule. This is due to longer than expected timelines arising from schedule coordination and collaborations with multiple partners for offline distribution, voice-overs, console certification, and other launch preparations. We sincerely apologize for not being able to meet the originally promised fourth quarter launch schedule. Please kindly understand that this is a strategic decision aimed at insuring success on a meaningful scale.
“The release date has been internally confirmed for Q1 2026. However, given the change in launch timing, we will announce the date at a more appropriate time based on business considerations, rather than making an announcement at Gamescom next week. We are grateful for your continued interest in our company, and we will do our utmost to deliver an even better experience going forward.”
Pearl Abyss said fans won’t get a concrete date at Gamescom, but the brand did say it’s still planning to participate in the event. The studio will also make an appearance at PAX West in Seattle, Washington, as well as the Tokyo Game Show, in an effort “to strengthen [its] marketing efforts in the Japanese market.” At the time of writing, the game’s official website still says fans can “play Crimson Desert at gamescom and PAX West 2025,” though their booth’s offerings might look a little different post-delay.
Crimson Desert‘s delay is disappointing enough as it stands, but this isn’t the first time its release has been pushed back. Pearl Abyss first showed the fantasy RPG to audiences at the Game Awards in 2020, later teasing a tentative late 2021 launch.
The Black Desert Online-tangential title is just one of many recent delays and cancellations, but a little extra TLC from devs is hardly a bad thing. Here’s hoping the RPG makes waves when it (finally) lands on PC and console in Q1 2026.
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A lifelong gamer raised on classic titles like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Croc, Stephanie brings her expertise of gaming and pop culture to deliver unique, refreshing views on the world of video games, complete with references to absurd and obscure media.
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