Crimson Desert: Release date, pre-orders, trailers and more

With every trailer, excitement is growing more and more for the upcoming Crimson Desert release date.

A prequel to hit MMO Black Desert Online, the game was first announced back in 2023, and the more we've seen of it, the more promising it looks.

Unlike many modern titles, developer Pearl Abyss is eschewing the popular Unreal Engine 5 in favour of their own in-house engine, the incredibly impressive BlackSpace Engine.

If you're as excited for Crimson Desert as we are, here's what you need to know about the release date, pre-orders, trailers and more.

When is the Crimson Desert release date?

Crimson Desert releases on 19th March 2026 for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.

This was revealed during last September's Sony State of Play as part of a new trailer.

The game was initially scheduled to release in 2024. This was then pushed back, with a trailer at The Game Awards 2024 seemingly confirming a late-2025 release.

Of course, we now know that the game was further delayed, so here's hoping that 19th March is the definitive release date.

Can I pre-order Crimson Desert?

You can pre-order digital versions of the game directly from their respective storefronts:

• Steam
• PlayStation
• Xbox

If you're after a physical version, then you can pre-order Crimson Desert from select retailers:

UK

• Amazon – £49.99
• Smyths – £49.99

US

• Amazon – $69.99
• Best Buy – $69.99
• GameStop – $69.99
• Walmart – $69.99
• Target – $69.99

Which consoles and platforms can play Crimson Desert?

Crimson Desert is releasing on PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

It was originally meant to release on PS4 and Xbox One, but following a couple of delays, it's moved onto current gen consoles only.

We also don't know if a Switch 2 version is on the books, but if it sells well enough, who knows?

Crimson Desert gameplay and story details

Much like its spiritual predecessor, Crimson Desert is an open-world fantasy RPG. You can explore it on foot or horseback, and you'll have the option to complete quests, fish, chop trees and – we're delighted to say – pet plenty of dogs.

The combat looks to be a satisfying combo, block and parry affair, with a variety of interesting enemies (including ones you can climb, à la Shadow of the Colossus).

As for the story, we don't know much about that from the trailer. All we know is the game is set in the same universe as Black Desert Online, and we take control of protagonist Macduff as he fights against the forces of evil and confronts his past.

Is there a Crimson Desert trailer?

There is a trailer, and it's pretty awesome. Check it out below, in all its dog-petting glory:

In late 2025, we got a release date trailer showing off even more of the game:

And last, but not least, January 2026 gave us a huge, 15-minute showcase of the game's gameplay and open world features:

Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.