Pearl Abyss's ambitious single-player open-world action adventure, Crimson Desert, has achieved a remarkable sales milestone, moving 5 million copies in less than a month since its launch on March 19. The game's journey to this impressive figure has been swift: it sold 2 million copies on its first day, reached 3 million within five days, and hit 4 million just over a week later, now adding another million with momentum still strong.
In a statement, Pearl Abyss expressed gratitude, saying, "Thank you to every Greymane who has joined us on this journey, experienced the world of Pywel, and supported the game. Reaching this milestone would not have been possible without your support and we are truly grateful."
Player sentiment has seen a notable uptick since release, with Steam user reviews climbing from 'mixed' to 'very positive.' Pearl Abyss has been rolling out substantial updates at an unprecedented pace for a major triple-A title, with another significant patch introduced over the weekend, and more likely on the way.
Crimson Desert's success is undeniable. Developed over seven years with costs around 200 billion won (approximately $133 million), the game has proven to be a financial hit. According to Rhys Elliott, head of market analysis at Alinea Analytics, it had already generated $200 million across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S platforms by early April, with sales figures now even higher.
Looking ahead, questions arise about potential expansions or DLC. Pearl Abyss CEO Heo Jin-young has indicated no firm plans for DLC and expressed skepticism about official mod support, but a Nintendo Switch 2 version is reportedly under consideration.
For more on Crimson Desert, check out our coverage, including praise from The Witcher 3's director, a restored hidden food consequence system by a modder, and an impressive character creator mod. We also offer guides like Things to Do First in Crimson Desert, Things Crimson Desert Doesn't Tell You (with 28 tips and counting), Best Early Weapons, Best Skills to Get First (with a skills system explainer), and 34 Essential Tips and Tricks to thrive in Pywel.
