Crimson Desert’s launch has been delayed once again, and this time it’s not just a few weeks. During their Q2 fiscal year 2025 presentation, Pearl Abyss, the South Korean developer behind the upcoming action/adventure title, confirmed the delay of Crimson Desert to Q1 2026. Originally scheduled to launch in Q4 2025, the delay is due to unforeseen issues with voice-overs, console certifications, and other pre-release preparations. 
Pearl Abyss CEO explained that the extended timeline was necessary for smoother coordination with multiple partners, especially for offline distribution and marketing efforts.
To keep fans excited, Pearl Abyss will be showcasing a new open-world build of Crimson Desert at major gaming events like Gamescom, PAX West, and Tokyo Game Show this August and September. The team hopes to bolster their marketing in key regions, including Japan, with a stronger presence at these events.
Despite the delay, the game will be released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S|X, and the developers are committed to ensuring the final product delivers the experience fans expect. While it’s unfortunate that Crimson Desert won’t make its original 2025 launch window, the extra time should allow for more polish and refinement.
Fans have been eagerly awaiting Crimson Desert since its initial reveal, and while it has seen some significant changes-from an MMO to a single-player open-world game-the upcoming launch in Q1 2026 will hopefully be the final step towards the game’s success.