General
What is Crimson Desert?
Crimson Desert is an open-world action-adventure game developed by Pearl Abyss. Set on the continent of Pywel, players 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 characters, a branching main story, and an open world with combat, exploration, crafting, and housing systems.
When did Crimson Desert release?
Crimson Desert launched 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, Xbox Store, Microsoft Store, and Steam.
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 PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), Xbox on PC (Microsoft Store), Mac (Mac App Store), and GeForce NOW (cloud streaming).
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?
Edition | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
Standard Edition (Digital) | $69.99 |
Deluxe Edition (Digital) | $79.99 |
Deluxe Edition (Physical) | $89.99 |
Collector's Edition | $279.99 |
For details on what each edition includes, see the DLC page.
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 Oongka, Yann, and 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. During their Q4 2025 earnings call, the studio hinted that an online mode could arrive after launch if the game performs well commercially. The developers have referenced a potential model similar to GTA Online, but no specific plans, features, or timeline have been confirmed. At earliest, any 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.
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 content, exploration, and all three playable characters can exceed 100 hours.
How many playable characters are there?
There are three playable characters: Kliff (available from the start), Damiane, and 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.
System Requirements
What are the PC system requirements?
Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
CPU | Intel Core i5-8500 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600X | Intel Core i5-11600K / AMD Ryzen 5 5600 |
GPU | NVIDIA GTX 1060 / AMD RX 580 | NVIDIA RTX 2080 / AMD RX 6700 XT |
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB |
Storage | 135 GB SSD | 135 GB SSD |
OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
For a full breakdown of all performance tiers and console specs, see the System Requirements page.
What are the Mac system requirements?
Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
Chip | Apple M1 | Apple M4 Pro |
RAM | 16 GB | 16 GB |
OS | macOS 15 | macOS 26 |
Storage | 135 GB | 135 GB |
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?
PC: AMD FSR 3/4, NVIDIA DLSS 4/4.5, AMD FSR Ray Regeneration, NVIDIA DLSS Ray Reconstruction
PS5 Pro: Upgraded PSSR (PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution)
PS5 / Xbox Series X|S: AMD FSR 3
Mac: MetalFX Upscaler, Frame Generation, and Denoiser
Frame generation is supported on PC and Mac only. It is not available on PlayStation or Xbox consoles.
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. The DualSense controller requires a USB connection (wireless is not supported on PC).
Languages
What languages are supported?
Interface and Subtitles: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish (Spain), Spanish (Latin America), Japanese, Korean, Polish, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Portuguese (Brazil), and Turkish.
Full Voice-Over: 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. Physical and digital versions are offered for each tier. For a full comparison of items included in each edition, 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) cannot be purchased separately.
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.
Are there differences between digital and physical versions?
The in-game content is identical. Physical editions include exclusive merchandise such as SteelBook cases, character photo cards, and other physical collectibles. Digital editions contain all the same in-game items.
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 at crimsondesert.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.