Pearl Abyss, the publisher and developer behind the highly anticipated open-world action game Crimson Desert, has experienced a sharp decline in its stock price, dropping nearly 30%. This downturn is widely attributed to the game's review scores, which went live on March 18. On Metacritic, Crimson Desert currently holds a Metascore of 78 based on 85 critic reviews, though this figure may change as more reviews are added post-launch. Notably, IGN's preliminary review of the PC version gave it a 6/10, though this score is not final.
At the time of reporting, Pearl Abyss's stock had fallen by 29.88%, reducing the share value by about $13 to approximately $30 per share. Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, commented on social media, stating, 'Apparently not good enough for investors,' in reference to the review scores. According to the Seoul Economic Daily, the market had anticipated a Metascore in the mid-to-high 80s, and the lower result seems to have negatively impacted the stock. The report also noted that Pearl Abyss invested seven years and 200 billion won (around $133 million) in developing Crimson Desert.
Despite the stock drop, there are positive indicators for Crimson Desert's success. Rhys Elliott, head of market analysis at Alinea Analytics, highlighted that the game is poised for a strong launch on Steam, with nearly 400,000 pre-launch copies sold, generating over $20 million in gross revenues. Elliott added, 'This game could really blow up, if it sticks the landing.' He further compared its performance, noting that at the three-day pre-launch mark, Crimson Desert's $20.3 million on Steam outperformed Kingdom Come: Deliverance II by nearly four times and Expedition 33 by nearly ten times at similar stages.
Additionally, Dr. Toto pointed out that Crimson Desert ranks No. 4 in the U.S. PlayStation sales chart, trailing only MLB The Show 26, NBA 2K26, and Fortnite. He remarked, 'Very solid, I would say, for an IP (Black/Crimson Desert) not well known at all in that region of the world.'
Crimson Desert is set to release soon, with global launch times available online. In a launch FAQ, Pearl Abyss clarified that an internet connection is required for initial setup, including a day one patch, to ensure players have the latest version. Once installed, the game can be played offline.
