Crimson Desert Rejects PS5 Exclusivity, Following Black Desert Online's Path

Pearl Abyss, the developer behind the eagerly awaited action-adventure game Crimson Desert, has made headlines by rejecting a lucrative exclusivity deal with Sony for the PlayStation 5. This decision underscores the studio's commitment to maintaining its independence and maximizing profitability through self-publishing.

Sony's Failed Attempt at Securing Crimson Desert Exclusivity

Pearl Abyss has firmly decided to steer its own course with Crimson Desert. In a statement to Eurogamer, the developer emphasized their strategy: "In our last quarter earnings call, which is publicly available, we revealed that we would publish Crimson Desert independently. We of course honour and appreciate our business partners who we are constantly in touch with about our progress and plans, and we are discussing various forms of collaboration with them."

Upcoming Showcases and No Confirmed Release Date Yet

Excitement is building as Pearl Abyss plans to unveil Crimson Desert to the public next month in November. "Additionally, we have not announced any release date yet, so any articles about the topic are only speculation at this point. We look forward to showcasing a playable Crimson Desert build to media this week in Paris and to the public at G-Star in November," the developer shared.

Insights from Investor Meetings and Platform Speculations

During an investor meeting in September, it came to light that Sony had approached Pearl Abyss with an offer to make Crimson Desert a PS5 exclusive, which would have excluded the game from Xbox for a period. However, Pearl Abyss opted for self-publishing, believing it to be "highly profitable."

While the final list of platforms for Crimson Desert remains unconfirmed, along with an official release date, the game is anticipated to launch on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox around Q2 2025.