Crimson Desert's Comeback: From Stock Dip to 4 Million Sales and 'Very Positive' Reviews
Crimson Desert, the single-player RPG from Pearl Abyss, has achieved a significant milestone, selling 4 million copies within two weeks of its March 19 launch. Despite initially facing a decline in its developer's stock value due to review scores and reported launch issues, subsequent patches have dramatically improved the player experience, leading to a "very positive" user review rating on Steam.
Within two weeks of its launch, Crimson Desert has sold 4 million copies, marking a remarkable recovery after initial challenges.
Pre-Launch Hype Meets Critical Reality
Prior to its release, Crimson Desert garnered considerable anticipation, accumulating over 3 million wishlists on Steam and receiving favorable reception during marketing previews. This early enthusiasm contributed to a significant increase in Pearl Abyss's stock price over the past year, with investor expectations for critical reception reportedly ranging from 80 to 90 out of 100 on aggregate review sites.
Upon the publication of critical reviews, the game received a Metacritic score of 78/100 and an OpenCritic score of 80. While deemed "generally favorable" by Metacritic, these scores fell below market expectations. Reviewers praised the game's scope and technical proficiency, particularly its combat, but also raised criticisms regarding its story, controls, user interface, character development, narrative, and world distinctiveness.
Following the release of these review scores, Pearl Abyss's stock experienced a sharp decline, dropping by figures ranging from approximately 27.44% to 30%. Investors reportedly sold off shares in response, with prices on the South Korean stock market trading at 46,600 won, a notable decrease from the previous session. Despite this setback, the stock price remained above its peaks from the previous year.
A Challenging Launch and Player Feedback
Crimson Desert officially launched on March 19, initially selling 2 million copies. However, the launch was not without its hurdles, as players reported several issues:
- Problems launching on PCs through the Xbox App.
- Poor performance on base PlayStation 5 models.
- Duplicated in-game assets.
- Difficulties with controls.
These concerns led some players to seek refunds. Pearl Abyss promptly acknowledged the initial launch issues and expressed a commitment to addressing community feedback and implementing improvements.
Post-Launch Redemption: Patches Drive Player Praise
In a testament to the developer's commitment, Crimson Desert's sales doubled, reaching 4 million copies sold within just two weeks. Pearl Abyss released a statement conveying appreciation to its growing player base.
Player sentiment, initially categorized as 'mixed' on Steam, has undergone a significant transformation. A series of substantial patches were implemented, introducing key features such as a storage box and additional summonable mounts. These critical updates contributed to the game's current 'very positive' user review rating on Steam. The game's popularity is further underscored by its recent peak concurrent player numbers on Steam, reaching 276,261.
Development Investment and Future Horizons
Development of Crimson Desert spanned an estimated seven years, with costs around 200 billion won, equivalent to approximately $133 million. Pearl Abyss CEO Heo Jin-young has projected Crimson Desert to ultimately reach 5 million sales.
Regarding future content, CEO Heo Jin-young stated that there were no solidified plans for DLC and expressed doubt regarding official mod support. However, an expansion of the game's reach is being explored, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version reportedly under consideration.