Crimson Desert has quickly become one of the most followed and anticipated games of 2025 within just a few months. Pearl Abyss’s proposal offers much to attract players, particularly with its high-end graphics and gameplay featuring unparalleled richness and unexpected depth for an action-RPG in an open world. However, it is not only players who are interested in this South Korean title from Pearl Abyss; Sony Interactive Entertainment has also shown interest. During a presentation intended for Pearl Abyss shareholders, it was revealed that the Japanese manufacturer offered to make the game a PlayStation 5 exclusive. This information was initially shared by an economic blogger who attended the presentation but has since been made private. Nevertheless, Pearl Abyss, possibly flattered by Sony’s consideration of making their game a flagship title for its console, declined the offer, believing it would be more profitable if self-published on all intended platforms.
It has been known for some time that Asia, particularly China, South Korea, and Malaysia, are regions of significant interest to Sony due to the high quality of games produced there, efficient production times, and a refreshing approach not commonly seen in Western studios. Additionally, the relationships between the Japanese company and these emerging studios are noted for their excellence. Shuhei Yoshida is among those at Sony who have trusted the growing Asian gaming industry. To conclude, here are the key points from Pearl Abyss’s presentation following Sony’s attempt to secure exclusivity for their game.
The addition of various features to the open world has led to numerous delays in development.
The games favored by President Kim Dae-il are Red Dead Redemption and The Legend of Zelda. We have made efforts to incorporate a high degree of freedom in our game, drawing inspiration from various titles including Assassin’s Creed, The Witcher 3, Red Dead Redemption, and The Legend of Zelda.
We utilize our own engine, which gives us a particular advantage in this field.
Interactive engagement with NPCs and the natural environment was a priority for us.
The game elements were designed to enable various interactions, such as using AI for NPCs to make situational decisions, allowing diverse interaction methods. For example, NPCs may choose to flee a battle based on the player’s level or the number of people involved.
There is also a reputation system in the game that changes based on your actions. While many people enjoy playing games where the protagonist is the hero, Red Desert includes elements that make you a hero or a villain depending on your choices.
Assassin’s Creed provides players with the freedom to climb over and across any reachable object in the environment. The Legend of Zelda enhances this spatial freedom by allowing movement not only on the ground but also through gliding in the air. These features will be evident in our upcoming game, Crimson Desert.
We have also worked diligently to implement detailed character adaptations based on temperature and time of day variations. These adaptations include behavioral changes according to the time of day and temperature differences, such as slowing down a character’s actions when temperatures decrease or at nightfall. However, the implementation of these details is restricted when using commercial engines like Unreal Engine 5.
Sony Interactive Entertainment proposed an exclusivity agreement (which would have prevented the game from being released on Xbox for a certain period), but Pearl Abyss decided to self-publish the game as they believed it would be more profitable.
During its initial development, The Witcher 3 was frequently referenced, with parts of its story also being noted. Crimson Desert quickly emerged as one of the most anticipated games for 2025, drawing significant attention due to Pearl Abyss’s high-quality graphics and unexpectedly rich gameplay in the action-RPG genre within an open world setting. Sony Interactive Entertainment expressed interest in the South Korean title from Pearl Abyss, proposing an exclusive deal for PlayStation 5 during a presentation for Pearl Abyss investors. However, Pearl Abyss declined this offer, believing that self-publishing across all intended platforms would be more profitable.
Crimson Desert, developed by South Korean studio Pearl Abyss, has quickly gained popularity and anticipation for its 2025 release due to its impressive graphics and deep gameplay in an open-world action-RPG setting. Sony Interactive Entertainment attempted to secure the game as a PlayStation 5 exclusive but was declined by Pearl Abyss, who opted to self-publish on various platforms for perceived greater profitability. The development of Crimson Desert has faced delays due to incorporating numerous open-world features, inspired by games such as Red Dead Redemption, The Legend of Zelda, Assassin’s Creed, and The Witcher 3. Key game elements include a high degree of player freedom in exploration and interaction, referencing renowned titles for inspiration; an advanced in-house engine allowing unique features, such as detailed character reactions to temperature and time-of-day changes; AI-driven NPC behavior enabling diverse interactions and a dynamic reputation system affecting gameplay; and a moral ambiguity element where player actions determine whether they are perceived as heroes or villains. Despite Sony’s interest and exclusive offer, Pearl Abyss chose to maintain cross-platform release plans for Crimson Desert. Sony has estimated that the game’s atmosphere and story are similar to Ghost of Tsushima, which sold over 10 million copies.
For those eager to delve deeper into the captivating world of Crimson Desert, Sophie Laurent’s latest piece on Players for Life offers a fascinating look at Pearl Abyss breaking its three-year silence with a new gameplay video. Published on August 22, 2023, the article draws immediate parallels between Crimson Desert and beloved titles such as The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Assassin’s Creed, Elden Ring, and Final Fantasy XVI. Sophie expertly details the unique blend of play styles and futuristic elements showcased in the video, making it a must-read for any fan excited about this highly anticipated release. Head over to Crimson Desert: When Zelda, Assassin’s Creed, and Final Fantasy Merged! to immerse yourself in the latest developments and revelations surrounding Crimson Desert!
