Insights from GDC 2025 on Pearl Abyss’ Crimson Desert
At GDC 2025, I had the opportunity to chat with several members of Pearl Abyss, the studio behind the sandbox MMORPG Black Desert Online. They revealed that they are currently developing a single-player action-adventure game titled Crimson Desert, which utilizes the same customized game engine designed for the original Black Desert game. In Crimson Desert, players assume the role of Kliff, a mercenary who finds himself repeatedly embroiled in conflicts that threaten to bring turmoil to the world of Pywel and its inhabitants.
Showcasing the Black Desert Engine
During my discussion with the Pearl Abyss team, they provided a glimpse into the inner workings of the Black Desert engine, illustrating how it accurately simulates various natural elements, including fire, water, light, and wind, mirroring their real-world counterparts.
Impressive Visual Realism
The key strength of the Black Desert engine appears to be its ability to swiftly render the expansive and intricately detailed landscape of Crimson Desert, a medieval high fantasy realm known as Pywel. My exploration of this open world through a development kit showcased various elements, such as cloth and hair dynamics influenced by wind, shadows shifting in relation to numerous light sources, and diverse weather conditions that realistically affect NPCs and environmental features like water and wind.
Noteworthy Water Interaction
One of the standout moments from the demonstration was witnessing how a horse reacted when walking through water. As Kliff rode through a stream, only the parts of the horse that came into contact with the water became wet after leaving, a level of detail I have not encountered in other video games. Unlike traditional game characters that emerge from water completely drenched regardless of their actual exposure, this system accurately reflected the degree to which the horse was wet based on its movement.
Does Realism Translate to Fun?
While this intricately detailed engine certainly enhances the game’s aesthetic, it remains unclear how this translates into gameplay enjoyment. I did catch a glimpse of combat and exploration, both of which seemed promising. However, without direct gameplay experience, I cannot comment definitively on the fun factor of Crimson Desert. Nonetheless, Pearl Abyss seems dedicated to leveraging their engine’s capabilities to provide an immersive experience, something that fans of RPGs who appreciate attention to detail will likely find appealing.
Release Information
Crimson Desert is set to be released in late 2025 for Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC. As players take on the role of Kliff, they will navigate a world fraught with chaos as they confront various conflicts threatening the peace of Pywel and its people.
