FAQs

General

What is Crimson Desert?

Crimson Desert is an open-world action-adventure game developed by Pearl Abyss. Set on the continent of Pywelplayers follow protagonist Kliff of the Greymane mercenaries as he reunites his scattered comrades and confronts mysterious threats after a devastating ambush. The game features three playable charactersa branching main storyand an open world with combatexplorationcraftingand housing systems.

When did Crimson Desert release?

Crimson Desert launched simultaneously worldwide on March 19, 2026, at 3:00 PM PT / 6:00 PM ET / 10:00 PM GMT / 7:00 AM KST (March 20). Pre-loading was available starting March 17 on PlayStation Store and March 18 on Xbox Store, Microsoft Store, Steam, and Epic Games Store.

Is Crimson Desert an MMO?

No. While development originally began as an online MMO, the game was redesigned as a single-player action-adventure. It is not an MMORPG and does not feature any MMO mechanics at launch.

Is Crimson Desert a Soulslike game?

Not exactly. The combat is physics-based and fluid, drawing more comparisons to Devil May Cry than to Dark Souls or Elden Ring. The game is challenging but generally more forgiving than typical Soulslike titles, with an emphasis on stylish combo-driven combat using multiple weapon types and Abyss Gears.

Platforms and Availability

What platforms is Crimson Desert available on?

Crimson Desert is available on the following platforms:

Crimson Desert is not available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, or any mobile platform.

Is Crimson Desert on Game Pass?

No. Crimson Desert did not launch on Xbox Game Pass or any other subscription service. It requires a full-price purchase. Future inclusion on Game Pass has not been confirmed.

How much does Crimson Desert cost?

Pricing varies by edition and format. Both physical and digital versions are available.

There are no differences in actual game content between physical and digital versions; only the bonus items and physical collectibles differ. For a full comparison of what each edition includes, see the DLC page.

Can I upgrade from Standard to Deluxe Edition?

There is no direct edition upgrade. However, Standard Edition owners can purchase the Deluxe Pack separately after March 19 to receive the Deluxe in-game bonus items. The Ultimate Pack (Collector's Edition exclusive items) is not sold separately and cannot be purchased post-launch.

Multiplayer and Co-op

Does Crimson Desert have multiplayer or co-op?

No. Crimson Desert is a single-player game at launch. There is no online co-op, local co-op, or matchmaking of any kind. While companion characters like OongkaYannand Naira fight alongside you during gameplay, they are AI-controlled NPCs and cannot be controlled by other players.

Will multiplayer be added later?

Pearl Abyss has not ruled it out. In their business reports and earnings calls, the studio has discussed planning for a potential multiplayer mode. The developers have referenced a model similar to GTA Online, but no specific plans, features, or timeline have been confirmed. Any multiplayer expansion would likely arrive as a major update, and its development depends on the game's commercial success. At earliest, a multiplayer component would arrive late 2026 or into 2027.

Does Crimson Desert support cross-save?

No. Cross-save is not available for Crimson Desert. Save data cannot be transferred between different platforms. The game provides 9 manual save slots plus autosaves on each platform.

Gameplay

How long is the main story?

Pearl Abyss has stated the main story takes approximately 50 to 80 hours to complete. Total playtime including side contentexplorationand all three playable characters can exceed 100 hours.

How many playable characters are there?

There are three playable characters: Kliff (available from the start)Damianeand Oongka. Damiane and Oongka are unlocked as the story progresses, and each has a unique combat style and dedicated questlines.

Can I play offline?

Yes, after the initial setup and Day 1 patch installation. An internet connection is required to download the game and apply patches, but once that is done, Crimson Desert can be played entirely offline. Future patches will require reconnecting to the internet.

Romance and Relationships

Does Crimson Desert have romance options?

No. Crimson Desert does not feature any romance system, dating mechanics, or romanceable NPCs. When asked about this during the New Games+ show, a Pearl Abyss representative stated that Crimson Desert is "not that type of game." The studio designed the title to focus on combatopen-world explorationand puzzle-solving rather than relationship building or companion systems. Relationships between characters are entirely narrative-driven and unfold through story progression, not player choice or dialogue trees.

This approach mirrors other acclaimed RPGs that shipped without romance systems, such as the Zelda series and Elden Ring, prioritizing gameplay depth over social simulation.

Difficulty Settings

Does Crimson Desert have difficulty settings?

No. Crimson Desert uses a single, fixed difficulty level with no option to select easy, normal, or hard modes. Pearl Abyss intentionally designed one curated experience, similar to FromSoftware titles like Elden Ring and Rockstar games like Red Dead Redemption 2.

How do I make the game easier if I am struggling?

Instead of difficulty settings, the game provides progression-based tools to manage challenge. Upgrading your character through the skill treerefining weapons at a Blacksmithimproving armorand learning new abilities through Observation all make encounters easier. The game encourages exploring lower-level regions and building your character's strength before taking on tougher areas and bosses. Strategic use of Abyss Gear modifiers on your weapons also helps tailor your build to specific challenges.

System Requirements

What are the PC system requirements?

For a full breakdown of all performance tiers and console specs, see the System Requirements page.

What are the Mac system requirements?

Does Crimson Desert support Intel Arc graphics cards?

No. Crimson Desert does not currently support Intel Arc graphics cards. Players who purchased the game expecting Intel Arc support should check their platform's refund policy.

Graphics and Performance

What upscaling technologies are supported?

Upscaling support varies by platform. The table below summarizes which technologies are available on each.

Frame generation is available on PC and Mac only. It is not available on PlayStation or Xbox consoles. In early benchmark testing, AMD FSR 4 outperformed NVIDIA DLSS 4 in image quality comparisons.

For detailed settings and benchmarks, see the Performance and Graphics Settings page.

What driver versions are recommended?

Pearl Abyss recommends AMD driver version 25.9.2 or above and NVIDIA driver version 581.29 or above for optimal performance.

Are there issues with streaming or capture quality?

When DLSS Multi Frame Generation is enabled, streaming and screen capture quality may appear reduced on Windows when using duplicate display mode. Pearl Abyss recommends disabling V-sync and G-sync when using Multi Frame Generation for streaming or recording.

Controllers and Input

What controllers does the PC version support?

The PC version supports Xbox controllers and the DualSense controller via USB. The DualSense controller requires a USB connection; wireless DualSense is not supported on PC. For the full keybinding reference and controller layout, see the Controls page.

Languages

What languages are supported?

Crimson Desert supports 12 languages for its interface and subtitles, with full voice-over in three languages.

Interface and Subtitles (12 languages):

English, French, Italian, German, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Latin America), Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Portuguese (Brazil), and Turkish.

Full Voice-Over (3 languages):

English, Korean, and Simplified Chinese.

Language settings can be changed in Menu, then Other, then Options, then Settings, then Languages and Gameplay. Physical editions sold outside Asia do not include Chinese language support.

Editions and Purchases

What editions are available?

Crimson Desert is available in Standard, Deluxe, and Collector's Editions. Both physical and digital versions are offered. Physical editions include Physical Standard, Physical Deluxe, and Physical Collector's. Digital editions include Digital Standard and Digital Deluxe. For a full comparison of items included in each edition, see the DLC page.

Can I buy the Ultimate Pack separately?

No. The Ultimate Pack contains items exclusive to the Collector's Edition and is not sold separately after launch. Standard and Deluxe Edition owners cannot purchase the Ultimate Pack add-on.

Are there differences between digital and physical versions?

The in-game content is identical. No edition has exclusive gameplay content. Physical editions include extra merchandise such as SteelBook cases, character photo cards, and other physical collectibles. Digital editions contain all the same in-game items.

Where do I find my bonus items and Twitch Drops rewards?

Bonus items and Twitch Drops rewards are redeemed through the in-game Add-ons menu. Navigate to Menu, then Other, then Options, then Add-ons, select the item from the Receivable Items list, and click Receive.

Support

How do I report a bug or issue?

Pearl Abyss provides a dedicated support channel for bug reports. Check the official Crimson Desert website.pearlabyss.com for the "Report an Issue" notice, which includes known issues, troubleshooting steps, and instructions for submitting bug reports.

Is there a Day 1 patch?

Yes. Patch 1.00.02 was released on March 20, 2026 (3.1 GB). It includes tutorial additions, combat balance changes, boss fight improvements, skill updates, and numerous bug fixes. For the full list of changes, see the Patch Notes page.