Overview
The temperature system in Crimson Desert is a real-time environmental simulation that tracks and displays the ambient temperature as part of the game's HUD. The temperature reading responds dynamically to the player's current region, altitude, time of day, and proximity to heat sources. It is part of the broader dynamic weather system powered by Pearl Abyss's BlackSpace Engine, which calculates weather patterns in real time using multiple environmental variables.
Pearl Abyss Director of Marketing and PR Will Powers described the system: "It's all happening in real time. This is a really cool thing that is possible because of the engine the team has made. So all of these things are just happening and being calculated naturally in real time, which makes this feel like a really alive world that you're interacting and living in."
HUD Display
The temperature is displayed above the mini-map alongside the current in-game day, day of the week, time, and location name. The reading is shown in degrees Celsius.
Specific temperature readings observed in gameplay previews include:
Reading | Context |
|---|---|
10.2 C | Normal daytime exploration during early morning hours |
21.4 C | Warmer conditions observed during gameplay progression |
50 C (122 F) | Inside a burning house during a nighttime rescue quest |
The 50-degree reading demonstrates that the temperature gauge is contextual and reactive to the immediate environment. Proximity to fire causes the gauge to spike dramatically, reflecting the actual conditions the player character is experiencing.
The Burning House Encounter
One of the most notable demonstrations of the temperature system occurs during a nighttime quest where a priestess asks Kliff to rescue people trapped inside a burning house. Upon entering the structure, the temperature gauge above the mini-map jumps to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). The gameplay involves throwing giant vases of water at burning spots to extinguish fires, allowing the player to reach deeper into the building and rescue a sole survivor.
This encounter was detailed in Fextralife's gameplay breakdown and confirmed that the temperature display is not simply a static regional indicator but responds to immediate environmental conditions.
Dynamic Weather Integration
The temperature system (which a developer has described as having "minimal impact on the gameplay") is one component of Crimson Desert's broader dynamic weather simulation. The weather system calculates conditions in real time using several input variables:
Variable | Effect on Weather |
|---|---|
Temperature | Determines whether precipitation falls as rain or snow; influences fog density and atmospheric conditions |
Altitude / Elevation | Higher elevations produce colder temperatures and different weather patterns |
Time of Day | Temperature shifts between day and night; lighting conditions change accordingly |
Wind | Affects fog density, cloth and vegetation movement, and atmospheric feel |
Precipitation | Rain, snow, and fog emerge from the interaction of the above variables |
Weather is completely dynamic. Pearl Abyss noted that during press events, "every playthrough had different weather conditions." All cutscenes are rendered in-engine based on the current time of day and weather, meaning identical boss encounters can have entirely different lighting and atmospheric conditions.
Regional Climate Variation
The continent of Pywel features five distinct regions, each with its own climate profile. There are no dynamic seasons; instead, each region has a preset biome with its own persistent climate characteristics:
Region | Climate |
|---|---|
Vast crimson sands with extreme heat during the day and cooler temperatures at night. Dust storms and heat haze are visible in trailers. Cave systems offer respite from the heat. | |
Mountains and rivers with moderate temperatures | |
Described as "inhospitably cold" with eternal snow and blizzard conditions | |
Autumn-hued lowlands with frozen, snow-capped peaks at higher elevations | |
The political center; climate details not extensively documented | |
Technology and steam-powered industry; climate details not extensively documented |
Gameplay Effects
The extent to which temperature directly affects gameplay mechanics has been a point of some ambiguity in pre-launch coverage. Sources provide differing perspectives:
Confirmed Effects
Effect | Details |
|---|---|
Boss elemental weaknesses | : The Staglord boss, encountered in cold ruins, takes "massive damage" from hot explosives because he is "used to the biting cold." This confirms at least one boss has a temperature-related elemental vulnerability. |
Environmental context | : The temperature display responds to proximity to fire, regional climate, altitude, and time of day, providing situational awareness |
Reduced visibility at night | : Will Powers confirmed that "it is more difficult to see at night in some cases" |
NPC behavior | : Weather conditions and time of day influence NPC schedules, quest availability, and environmental hazards |
Unclear or Unconfirmed
Will Powers has indicated that the weather system "primarily enhances immersion rather than introducing mechanical challenges." No reviewer has confirmed visual effects, stamina debuffs, or movement speed penalties from temperature exposure. One outlet (Inverse) mentioned that temperature changes can "make you overheated" and that rain creates "mud that's harder to trudge through," but the Fextralife reviewer noted after extended hands-on time: "I wonder if the temperature will serve a purpose later on," suggesting the gameplay impact was not obvious during the demo.
No source has confirmed temperature-appropriate gear or clothing as a gameplay mechanic, though different horse types are suggested to suit different climates: a muscular variant for snow traversal and a slimmer variant for desert travel.
Elemental Connections
The temperature system (which a developer has described as having "minimal impact on the gameplay") intersects with Crimson Desert's elemental combat through the Axiom Bracelet and environmental interactions:
Element | Details |
|---|---|
Fire | : Gradually weakens wooden structures; can clear thorny terrain. Proximity to fire sources spikes the temperature gauge. |
Ice | : Ice darts shot into water create floating ice platforms for traversal. The snowy region of Kweiden features ice-related combat encounters. |
Lightning | : Combined with wet enemies (from rain or water) for bonus damage, connecting weather conditions to combat effectiveness. |
BlackSpace Engine Technology
The temperature system (which a developer has described as having "minimal impact on the gameplay") is powered by several BlackSpace Engine technologies that create Crimson Desert's atmospheric simulation:
Technology | Application |
|---|---|
Atmospheric Scattering | Simulates organic changes in air color, cloud shadows, and fog density based on the sun's position |
Volumetric Fog with Fluid Simulation | Fog reacts to player movement and wind; density changes dynamically based on temperature and weather |
Dynamic Lighting | Real-time lighting shifts throughout the day influence atmospheric conditions and visibility |
Wind Simulation | Affects fog density, vegetation movement, and atmospheric feel; varies by weather conditions |
Related Articles
Topic | Connection |
|---|---|
The BlackSpace Engine systems powering the temperature simulation | |
Open World Exploration | The five regions of Pywel with distinct climates |
Elemental abilities that interact with temperature-related mechanics | |
Dynamic Weather | The broader weather system that temperature feeds into |
Camp cooking provides stat buffs that may help in extreme conditions |