Download size overview
Crimson Desert is a large open-world game that requires significant storage space across all platforms. Pearl Abyss officially recommends reserving at least 150 GB of free space before installing, regardless of platform. The game launched on March 19, 2026, with preload available starting March 17, 2026.
Storage requirements by platform
Platform | Required Storage | Notes |
|---|---|---|
PC (Steam / Epic) | 135 to 150 GB | Official system requirements list 135 GB. Pearl Abyss recommends 150 GB to accommodate future patches. |
PlayStation 5 (Digital) | ~121 GB | Based on review build data. Full digital download as a single package. |
PlayStation 5 (Physical) | ~125 GB total | Disc contains approximately 77 GB. A mandatory 48.24 GB day-one download is required even for offline play. |
Xbox Series X|S | ~150 GB | Official console requirements mirror the PC recommendation of 150 GB. |
Mac | ~150 GB | Same storage footprint as PC. Requires Apple Silicon (M1 or later). |
Preload schedule
Preload became available on March 17, 2026, at 10:00 PM UTC (3:00 PM PT / 6:00 PM ET / 11:00 PM CET). This gave players approximately 48 hours to download the game before launch. Preload was confirmed for PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Why the PS5 disc requires a large download
The physical PS5 version ships with roughly 77 GB of data on the Blu-ray disc. However, a mandatory 48.24 GB update must be downloaded on release day. This update is required even for players who plan to play entirely offline. The additional data likely includes launch-day optimizations, texture streaming improvements, and content that did not fit within the disc manufacturing deadline. Players purchasing the physical edition should plan for a total of approximately 125 GB of storage.
PC system requirements (storage context)
Spec | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
Storage | 135 GB (SSD) | 150 GB (NVMe SSD) |
OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10/11 64-bit |
GPU | NVIDIA GTX 1070 / AMD RX Vega 56 | NVIDIA RTX 3070 / AMD RX 6800 XT |
RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB |
An SSD is strongly recommended for all configurations. The game relies on asset streaming for its massive open world, and mechanical hard drives may cause noticeable texture pop-in and longer loading times.
Installation tips
Clear space in advance: The installer may need temporary working space beyond the final install size. Budget an extra 10 to 20 GB during installation
Use an SSD: Both PC and console versions benefit from fast storage. Loading times and texture streaming are noticeably better on NVMe drives
Verify after install: On Steam, right-click the game and select "Verify integrity of game files" if you experience crashes on first launch
Keep space for patches: Post-launch updates are expected. Having an additional 20 to 30 GB of headroom avoids having to shuffle files later
Physical PS5 owners: Ensure your internet connection can handle the 48 GB day-one download. At 50 Mbps, this takes roughly 2 hours