Today’s State of Play marks an exciting milestone for us as we finally shared the release date of our much-anticipated title, Crimson Desert – March 19, 2026 – and pre-orders are live now.
Alongside the announcement, we unveiled a brand-new trailer.
Previously, we’ve offered glimpses of Crimson Desert’s gameplay and content, sparking quite a bit of interest in the game’s freeform combat system and thrilling boss battles. This new trailer shifts the focus to the heart of the journey—the story and motivations of Kliff, Crimson Desert’s main protagonist, who you will guide as you explore the vast continent of Pywel.
Kliff sets out to reunite his scattered Graymane companions and, in doing so, rally the many forces of Pywel against the evil that threatens the world.
But his path will be anything but easy. Simply believing in the right course will not be enough—true strength will only be forged by discovering who you truly are.
Who are those gathering their strength to stand against the evil? And what is the evil that has been hidden until now?
This is the story of Kliff and his fellow Greymane companions, standing united against the forces that seek to tear their world apart. Their journey will lead them through enigmatic places and toward the secrets of the powers that lies hidden across Pywel.
Every step will test Kliff’s resolve—but he will not walk it alone. With the guidance of trusted allies, wise mentors, and steadfast advisors, Kliff will unlock new abilities to meet the challenges ahead.
From ancient mysterious beings to the rise of advanced technologies, Kliff’s fate will be shaped by the choices he—and you—make.
The scenes of this trailer were captured on PlayStation 5 Pro, showcasing the stunning visuals and performance you can expect at launch.
The journey you’ll embark on in Crimson Desert
Crimson Desert is an open-world action-adventure set on the continent of Pywel. You’ll follow Kliff’s journey across a diverse landscape—bustling cities, frozen tundra, scorching deserts, rolling grasslands, and dense forests. Along the way, you’ll encounter the cultures and powers that shape this world, forging alliances or resolving conflicts. Sometimes you’ll meet new companions, other times you’ll simply be fulfilling contracts.
The world of Crimson Desert is alive with adventure. Missions, quests, and puzzles wait in every corner. You’ll find countless ways to explore—from gliding high above the land to scaling sheer cliffs. And of course, you can’t forget about the trusted horses you’ll be riding with, and many other mounts that you’ll use–even mighty dragons.
And at the core of Crimson Desert is the dynamic and intense combat that will get your heart racing. With freeform controls and a wide array of weapons, you can create creative combos that suit your style and exploit your enemies’ weaknesses.
Beyond combat, Pywel offers a wealth of other content, such as cooking, mining, gathering, fishing, and crafting, all meant to enrich your experience of this world.
Explore the vast and beautiful Pywel continent and discover these new adventures and stories.
Available on PlayStation 5
On PlayStation 5, you can fully immerse yourself in Crimson Desert thanks to faster loading speeds, enhanced graphics, 3D audio, and DualSense haptic feedback. You’ll be able to vividly feel the heft of wielding a weapon, the shaking of the impact of your horse’s hooves, and even the movement of the wind.
Our goal has always been to create not just a game, but a living world you can truly immerse yourself in and experience. Between now and launch, we’ll be dedicating our efforts to the final touches, ensuring Crimson Desert arrives as polished and unforgettable as possible. With the release date set and pre-orders now open, the countdown has officially begun.
Exclusive pre-order items and deluxe pack
Crimson Desert will be releasing on March 19, 2026, and you can pre-order now on PlayStation Store. Players who pre-order will receive the exclusive pre-order in-game item, the Khaled Shield, and PS5 pre-order exclusive items, the Grotevant Plate Set (Helm, Armor, Cloak, Gloves, Boots). The Deluxe Edition includes the Kairos Plate Set (Helm, Armor, Cloak, Gloves, Boots), Exclaire set for your steed (Champron, Barding, Saddle, Stirrups) and a Balgran Shield.
On March 19, 2026, the gates to Pywel will open—and your adventure will begin. We’ll see you in Pywel!
