South Korean Developer Pearl Abyss Outlines Crimson Desert's Graphic Modes on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S

With the release of Crimson Desert just around the corner on March 19th, South Korean developer Pearl Abyss has revealed new technical details about the game's console versions, which were previously only demonstrated on PC. Expect comparison videos between platforms closer to the release date. Crimson Desert will offer varying graphics and gameplay options across different platforms. Pearl Abyss has indicated what players can expect on each console: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X These consoles will offer three distinct graphics modes, with essentially identical configurations on both: Performance Mode: 1080p resolution targeting 60 fps with Vsync enabled. On compatible screens with VRR (via HDMI 2.1), the frame rate may exceed this limit. Ray tracing is active but at a low level. Pearl Abyss recently shared a chart detailing this performance mode. Balanced Mode: Renders natively at 1280p and upscales to 4K using FSR 3. The frame rate is set to 40 fps with Vsync, and requires a screen with a 120 Hz or 240 Hz refresh rate. Ray tracing remains in the same configuration as Performance Mode.

Quality Mode: Native resolution of 1440p upscaled to 4K, locked at 30 fps with Vsync and ray tracing set to high. PlayStation 5 Pro The PlayStation 5 Pro offers enhanced performance and visuals compared to the base models. Crimson Desert will offer the same three modes as the standard PS5 and Xbox Series X, but with improvements that leverage the console's more powerful hardware: Performance Mode: Native resolution of 1080p upscaled to 4K using PSSR, with an unlocked frame rate option on VRR screens. Unlike the standard PS5, ray tracing remains at a high level. Balanced Mode: Native rendering in 1440p with upscale to 4K. This mode runs at 40 fps with Vsync but can exceed this limit, reaching 48 fps or more, when VRR is activated. Ray tracing stays on high. Quality Mode: Native 4K at 30 fps, without upscale, and with ray tracing set to ultra, representing the highest visual quality available on consoles. Notably, the new PS5 Pro delivers native 4K at 30fps with Ray Tracing Ultra in Quality mode and upscaled 4K at 60fps through PSSR in Performance mode. Xbox Series S

Optimized Graphics Options for Crimson Desert on Xbox Series S and Beyond Platforms Detailed

The Xbox Series S offers two graphics options, neither of which includes ray tracing: Quality Mode: 1080p resolution at a steady 30 fps. Performance Mode: 720p resolution, running at 40 fps. Other Platforms Beyond consoles, Pearl Abyss briefly commented on expected performance on portable devices like the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X, as well as compatible Mac computers. While details are limited, the most powerful Asus laptop should run the game relatively stably with customized graphics settings. Pearl Abyss has not confirmed official support for the Steam Deck, and the previously announced PC minimum requirements suggest the experience may not be optimal on Valve's device. While no fresh updates were shared about the game's release date or additional features, these technical details offer a clearer picture of what players can anticipate from Crimson Desert on various platforms.

In Case You Missed It

In our exciting gaming world this week, Ahmed Hassan has unearthed a fascinating piece of history with his article "Nintendo Play Station Acquired by Museum" (published March 6th), delving into the story behind the rare Sony MSF-1 prototype now housed at the National Videogame Museum. Meanwhile, Marcus Thompson explores the intriguing ties between Pokémon's latest spin-off and its main series in "Pokémon Pokopia Includes Reference to Wind and Waves", published on the same day. And if you're eager to see how your next-gen console measures up graphically, Jonathan Dubinski's analysis "Do You Have a PS5 Pro? See the Huge Graphical Advantage of Crimson Desert Over Other Consoles" (published March 10th) is a must-read, showcasing Pearl Abyss' upcoming title across various platforms. Check out these fascinating reads here: Nintendo Play Station Acquired by Museum, Pokemon Pokopia Includes Reference to Wind and Waves, and Do You Have a PS5 Pro? See the Huge Graphical Advantage of Crimson Desert Over Other Consoles.