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 declining an exclusivity deal with Sony for the PlayStation 5. This decision underscores Pearl Abyss's commitment to maintaining their independence in the gaming industry.

Sony's Attempt at Exclusivity Falls Short as Pearl Abyss Prioritizes Independence

Pearl Abyss is steadfast in its resolve to self-publish 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 honor 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."

The developer also shared exciting news about upcoming public showcases. Pearl Abyss announced, "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."

During an investor meeting in September, it was disclosed that Sony had attempted to secure Crimson Desert as a PS5 exclusive, which would have limited its availability on Xbox for a period. However, Pearl Abyss opted for self-publishing, stating, "it was judged that self-publishing would be highly profitable."

While the final platforms for Crimson Desert have not been officially confirmed, and no release date has been set, the game is anticipated to launch on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox around Q2 2025. This move by Pearl Abyss not only keeps the game accessible to a broader audience but also positions the developer for potentially higher profits through independent publishing.