Pearl Abyss announced today that Crimson Desert will have a physical release, with PLAION as its global physical distributor.
For those looking forward to the upcoming follow-up from the creators of Black Desert Online, a physical release is on the horizon. Pearl Abyss announced today that Crimson Desert will have a physical release, with PLAION as its global physical distributor. This partnership combines Pearl Abyss’ global presence and PLAION’s experienced local territory teams to bring a physical edition of Pearl Abyss’ new IP to audiences worldwide when it launches in the first quarter of 2026.
Crimson Desert is an open-world action-adventure game set in the beautiful yet brutal world of Pywel. Players follow Kliff, leader of the Greymanes—a band of battle-hardened mercenaries—who must fight to save Pywel from an impending catastrophe. As they explore the vast landscapes of Pywel, players will engage in intense battles, defeat formidable monsters, collect valuable loot, and follow the story of the Greymanes’ journey with next-generation visuals.
Pearl Abyss CBO Kevin Kim stated, “PLAION is already proving to be a strong partner for Pearl Abyss as we continue to grow in overseas markets. Partnering with PLAION, their global footprint will allow us to bring Crimson Desert to even more fans around the world. We are pleased to partner with a physical game distributor that shares our ambitious vision of an adventure set in the beautiful yet brutal continent of Pywel.”
With strong industry expertise and category-leading market presence, PLAION is well-positioned to support Pearl Abyss’ growth. PLAION is a trusted leader in the gaming space, known for delivering excellence in global video game publishing and distribution. PLAION partnered with Critical Hit Games on Nobody Wants To Die and other major studio drops from the likes of Deep Silver, Prime Matter, Milestone, Vertigo Games, and Ravenscourt.
CGMagazine’s Brendan Frye previewed Crimson Desert last year, noting its impressive combat system. “I was impressed by how varied the fights were while never feeling overly punishing or unfair. Crimson Desert rewards mastery but still provides ample room to experiment and approach battles in your own way. While enemies encourage specific play styles, the game offers plenty of tools to make various approaches viable—provided you learn how they work and understand their trade-offs.” Frye also noted how certain mechanics were close to those of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Red Dead Redemption’s DeadEye system.
“We are proud to work with Pearl Abyss to bring Crimson Desert to players across the globe. Our global footprint and experienced territory teams will bring fans the incredible experience of Crimson Desert. This collaboration is a testament to PLAION’s growing commitment to and strength in the Asia Pacific region and highlights our ongoing mission to become a global force in videogame publishing,” said CEO PLAION Partners, Craig McNicol. Additional information can be found on the official website.
