Pearl Abyss has announced that gameplay footage for the highly anticipated game Crimson Desert on Xbox Series X and S will not be revealed prior to its launch on March 19, 2026. This decision has created concern among Xbox owners, especially as the game has been showcased on PC and PlayStation 5 without any Xbox representation. Pearl Abyss has provided specs for both Xbox consoles, highlighting the Xbox Series S performance mode running at 720p with a target frame rate of 40fps, while the Series X aims for up to 60fps in performance mode. The launch will require an internet connection for setup, but after that, the game can be played offline. As speculation arises about the potential performance issues similar to those seen with Cyberpunk 2077, Pearl Abyss reassures fans it's in the process of fine-tuning the console versions.
Will gameplay on Xbox Series X and S be optimized for Crimson Desert?Yes, the Xbox Series X is expected to deliver optimized performance with up to 60fps in performance mode, while the Series S will have a balanced mode aimed at smoother gaming, albeit with limitations compared to the X.
Crimson Desert is an open-world action game from Pearl Abyss, the same studio known for the popular MMORPG Black Desert Online. This title promises a rich narrative combined with exploration, akin to its predecessor, while expanding into new gameplay mechanics and environments. As excitement builds, the delayed showcase for Xbox consoles has heightened anticipation and speculation surrounding its launch performance.
Alex Riverton
Alex Riverton is a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience in the gaming industry. Known for their in-depth analysis and hands-on previews, Alex has built a reputation for insightful commentary on gameplay mechanics and storytelling in videogames.
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Comments
It's a bold move to keep Xbox players in the dark while showing off the other versions. Fingers crossed this isn't a repeat of past launch day disappointments.
Holding back Xbox footage feels like a weird flex, especially when they're already dropping performance specs. Hopefully, this is just Pearl Abyss being overly cautious and not a sign of another rocky console launch.