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Launch date
Crimson Desert launches on March 19, 2026 across PC (Steam, Epic Games Store, Microsoft Store), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Mac, and GeForce NOW. The game uses a simultaneous global launch at a fixed UTC time, which means the local date and hour vary by timezone. Some regions in Asia and Oceania will technically receive the game on March 20, local time.
Global launch times
The official global release is March 19, 2026, at 10:00 PM UTC (22:00 UTC). Below are the local times for major regions:
Region | Local Date | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
US West Coast (PT) | March 19 | 3:00 PM |
US East Coast (ET) | March 19 | 6:00 PM |
UK (GMT) | March 19 | 10:00 PM |
Central Europe (CET) | March 19 | 11:00 PM |
India (IST) | March 20 | 3:30 AM |
China / Singapore (SGT) | March 20 | 6:00 AM |
Japan / South Korea (JST/KST) | March 20 | 7:00 AM |
Australia East (AEDT) | March 20 | 9:00 AM |
Preload schedule
Preloading begins 48 hours before launch on all digital storefronts. Based on the 10:00 PM UTC launch time, preload availability starts on March 17, 2026, at 10:00 PM UTC. This gives players two full days to download the game before it becomes playable.
Platform | Preload Available | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Steam | March 17, 10:00 PM UTC | Navigate to the game in your library and click Install |
Epic Games Store | March 17, 10:00 PM UTC | Same preload window as Steam |
PlayStation Store | March 17, 10:00 PM UTC | PS5 digital and disc editions can preload the base files |
Xbox / Microsoft Store | March 17, 10:00 PM UTC | Available on both Xbox consoles and PC via the Microsoft Store |
Mac | March 17, 10:00 PM UTC | Preload through the Mac App Store or supported launcher |
Download sizes
Plan for at least 150 GB of free storage across all platforms. For detailed file sizes and installation tips, see the Download Size and Installation article.
Platform | Approximate Size |
|---|---|
PC (Steam / Epic) | 135 to 150 GB |
PS5 (Digital) | ~121 GB |
PS5 (Physical) | ~77 GB on disc + 48 GB mandatory download |
Xbox Series X|S | ~150 GB |
Mac | ~150 GB |
Internet requirements
An internet connection is required for initial setup. This includes downloading the day-one patch, which is mandatory even for physical disc owners on PS5 (the disc contains approximately 77 GB, but a 48 GB update must be downloaded before the game will launch). After the initial installation and patching are complete, Crimson Desert can be played entirely offline. The game is a single-player experience with no online or multiplayer features announced at launch.
Physical PS5 owners: Budget time for the 48 GB day-one download in addition to the disc install. At 50 Mbps, this takes roughly 2 hours
No cross-save: Pearl Abyss has confirmed that save files do not transfer between platforms. PC, PS5, and Xbox progress is platform-specific
Future patches: Post-launch updates will require an internet connection to download, but gameplay remains offline between patches
Pre-launch checklist
Clear at least 150 GB of storage on your target platform
Set a reminder for March 17, 10:00 PM UTC (3:00 PM PT / 6:00 PM ET) to begin preloading
If buying the physical PS5 edition, ensure your internet can handle a 48 GB download before launch night
Check that your hardware meets the system requirements. An SSD is strongly recommended for all configurations
On Steam, after the download completes, right-click the game and select "Verify integrity of game files" to avoid potential launch-day issues