‘Crimson Desert’ Dev Finally Reveals DLC Release Window, and It’s Soon
Summary
Pearl Abyss' hit action RPG will also come to Nintendo Switch 2 in less than a year
Despite a mixed reception at launch, Crimson Desert has become one of the biggest games of the year. So it wasn't surprising that developer and publisher Pearl Abyss announced plans for DLC in June. While details have been sparse, a recent earnings report for the company has revealed when fans can expect the action RPG's first piece of DLC.
Pearl Abyss' second-quarter 2026 earnings letter makes several references to DLC as a major part of the company's plans to continue growing Crimson Desert. One such reference notes that Pearl Abyss is "targeting a release within this year" for the first DLC. With less than half the year remaining, only a few months remain for a potential release. While no further details were given in the letter regarding the gameplay experience or price, more information will be shared in the third quarter. Pearl Abyss notes that subsequent expansions will be determined based on how the first DLC performs.
Image: Pearl Abyss via Polygon
Image: Pearl Abyss via Polygon
Image: Pearl Abyss via Polygon
Image: Pearl Abyss via Polygon
Image: Pearl Abyss via Polygon
Image: Pearl Abyss via Polygon
Image: Pearl Abyss via Polygon
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Image: Pearl Abyss via Polygon
Image: Pearl Abyss via Polygon
Image: Pearl Abyss via Polygon
Image: Pearl Abyss via Polygon
Image: Pearl Abyss via Polygon
Image: Pearl Abyss via Polygon
Image: Pearl Abyss via Polygon
Another aspect of Crimson Desert's planned growth is platform expansion. Like the DLC plans, Pearl Abyss has previously mentioned plans to bring the game to Nintendo Switch 2, but with few concrete details. The earnings letter gives fresh insight into this, saying that the game has "reached a playable baseline" on the Switch 2. The company is currently conducting technical reviews to optimize performance and quality. The letter further states that Pearl Abyss is targeting a release for the Switch 2 version of Crimson Desert in the first half of 2027.
There are a couple of other interesting tidbits from the earnings letter. Pearl Abyss makes it clear that there are no plans to release the game on mobile devices, as any port to these platforms would not retain the game's graphical quality. The letter mentions possible multiplayer expansion plans, as there seems to be fan demand. Pearl Abyss notes that adding a co-op or multiplayer mode would be incredibly complex but is conducting "extensive" research into the possibility. It isn't immediately clear if this would take the form of an expansion to Crimson Desert or a new title. Pearl Abyss does make it clear that it sees Crimson Desert as the beginning of a franchise, so there is sure to be more official news in the future about what's next.