Crimson Desert is reportedly going for an absolutely massive map – one that could even outsize Red Dead Redemption 2 – yet the studio is also making a claim that’s far tougher to pull off than it sounds. Pearl Abyss insists its open-world fantasy RPG will feature a playable world that’s twice as large as Skyrim. The creators of Crimson Desert are openly flexing the scale of their world. They say it’s bigger than Red Dead Redemption 2, while also promising something even more ambitious.

In open-world games, raw size always grabs attention, but it’s rarely what determines whether players stay hooked or bounce after a few hours. Over time, plenty of people have learned that giant maps can easily translate into empty space, and that what truly matters is a steady sense of discovery, meaningful variety, and a satisfying exploration rhythm, backed by strong gameplay and storytelling. Even so, Crimson Desert looks set on challenging expectations by aiming for a world that’s not just large, but bold in ambition and packed with interactivity.

Crimson Desert is aiming for an interactive (and very large) open world

As Pearl Abyss reiterated at the New Game+ Showcase, Crimson Desert will feature a world at least twice the size of Skyrim’s playable area, and it’s also expected to be larger than the map in Red Dead Redemption 2. The details were shared by the studio’s PR director Will Powers, who stressed that this isn’t just about building a bigger sandbox, it’s about making sure that sandbox is filled with activities and systems that keep players engaged as they travel across Pywell.

Powers argues that “open worlds are about doing things”, which is why the team has focused on building an environment that’s “not only massive, but incredibly interactive”. He referenced movement options that go far beyond standard horseback travel, including mounts like dragons and bears, plus some choices that feel wildly untraditional for medieval fantasy, such as dinosaurs and mechs, along with sky islands described as “very important”, which are meant to add a vertical layer to exploration (via Gamesradar).

Crimson Desert may be chasing a competitive edge through sheer size and constant interactivity, but the real test will come after players have spent hours roaming its open world, and whether combat, narrative, exploration, and rewards are balanced well enough to sustain momentum. A gigantic map is a strong marketing hook, yet the promise of nonstop interaction is far harder to keep. If Pearl Abyss actually delivers on that, this could easily become one of the year’s standout releases, and it won’t be long before we find out, since it launches March 19, 2026 for PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5.

Source: 3djuegos