Crimson Desert, Black Desert Online's Successor, Turns Down PS5 Exclusivity Deal

Pearl Abyss, the developer behind the anticipated action-adventure game Crimson Desert, has reportedly declined a PlayStation exclusivity deal with Sony.

Pearl Abyss Prioritizes Independent Publishing for Crimson Desert

Crimson Desert Release Date and Platforms Still Unconfirmed

Pearl Abyss remains committed to self-publishing Crimson Desert. In a statement to Eurogamer, the developer reiterated its previously announced independent publishing plans, emphasizing ongoing collaborations with various partners while maintaining its self-publishing strategy. The company clarified that no release date has been set, and any reports to the contrary are purely speculative.

A playable Crimson Desert build will be shown to media this week in Paris, followed by a public demonstration at G-Star in November.

September investor meetings revealed Sony's attempt to secure Crimson Desert as a PS5 exclusive, potentially excluding Xbox for a period. However, Pearl Abyss opted for self-publishing, believing it would yield greater profitability.

While official confirmation is pending, Crimson Desert is anticipated to launch on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles around Q2 2025. The final platform lineup and release date remain unannounced.