Crimson Desert is already considered a massive success for Pearl Abyss, but the developers are not stopping with the current platforms. The studio has confirmed that work is underway on a Nintendo Switch 2 version, and the port has already reached the stage where basic gameplay can run on the hybrid console. The problem is that the technical challenges mean it is still far from certain that the game will actually be released on Nintendo’s platform.

Pearl Abyss is still working on the future of Crimson Desert, and the company is now openly discussing Nintendo Switch 2 as part of its plans. According to the studio, development of the version for the hybrid console has already begun and is in a fairly advanced state, but that alone does not guarantee a release. Crimson Desert is a large-scale open-world action RPG, so transferring its graphics, action, and world size to Nintendo’s hardware could be a major optimization challenge. For now, the studio does not want to announce a release window, because it first needs to verify that the Switch 2 version meets its quality standards.

Pearl Abyss’s top management discussed the future of Crimson Desert, as well as the status of DokeV and Plan 8, during a meeting with investors. The conversation also addressed the company’s recent decline in valuation, which led shareholders to raise questions about communication and future plans. According to Pearl Abyss CEO Heo Jin-young, the company’s goal is to bring Crimson Desert to as many platforms as possible.

“We believe it is important to release Crimson Desert on as many platforms as possible. We are evaluating the Nintendo Switch 2; currently, [the game] is in a stage of development where it is possible to run the basic gameplay,” Heo Jin-young explained. However, the executive immediately made it clear that this will not be a simple port, and that the most important question for the studio is whether the full experience can be preserved on Nintendo’s hardware. “However, this is not a simple port; the key is to see if we can fully maintain the graphics, action, and open-world experience of Crimson Desert on that device. The Switch 2 version still requires optimization and technical verification, and we also need to evaluate collaborations with partners and ensure it meets our quality standards. Therefore, it is difficult to confirm a release window. We will announce it as soon as we have confirmed information.”

Crimson Desert Has Sold More Than 6 Million Units

The investor meeting was partly called because of Pearl Abyss’s recent performance on the South Korean stock exchange. The studio’s value has dropped by more than 5% over the past month, and shareholders expressed doubts and frustration over issues including the future of Crimson Desert and the company’s communication strategy. In response, Heo Jin-young said the team’s strategy will be built around restoring confidence: making good games, generating results that can be shared with investors, and communicating effectively with the market.

That does not mean Crimson Desert has suffered a major drop in popularity since launch. Although the industry is constantly changing and new titles capture the community’s attention every week, the open-world game has delivered enviable commercial performance. Pearl Abyss says Crimson Desert has already sold more than 6 million units since release, and the studio is still working on more ideas to expand Kliff’s adventure. Its strategy also includes continuing to add free content for players.

Pearl Abyss’s work does not end with the Crimson Desert journey. The South Korean company has other projects in development that also aim to establish themselves as highly ambitious experiences: the colorful DokeV and the exosuit shooter Plan 8. According to information shared at the shareholders’ meeting, DokeV is scheduled for release in the second half of 2028.

Source: 3DJuegos