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Crimson Desert map 2x Skyrim size: Pearl Abyss confirms 30+ square miles, March 19 launch, review codes out Feb 2026

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By TGT Staff

Pearl Abyss’s Crimson Desert launches March 19, 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The open-world action RPG features a map at least twice the size of Skyrim’s playable area and larger than Red Dead Redemption 2, according to Pearl Abyss PR director Will Powers during the New Game+ Showcase interview.

Players control Kliff, a member of the Greymanes mercenary group, across the continent of Pywel. The game runs on Pearl Abyss’s proprietary BlackSpace Engine and includes dragon riding, sky islands, bears, raptors, mechas, and web-swinging traversal mechanics. Review codes will be distributed one month before launch.

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Crimson Desert: Interactive Scale Comparison

Map Size
Development
Features
NEW 2026

Crimson Desert

Map Size 30+ sq mi
Estimate ~75 km²
Release March 2026
Developer Pearl Abyss

Red Dead Redemption 2

Map Size ~29 sq mi
Estimate ~75 km²
Release 2018
Developer Rockstar

Skyrim

Map Size ~15 sq mi
Estimate ~37 km²
Release 2011
Developer Bethesda
Crimson Desert 30+ sq mi
100%
Red Dead Redemption 2 ~29 sq mi
96%
Skyrim ~15 sq mi
50%
Official Statement: Will Powers (Pearl Abyss PR Director) confirmed during the New Game+ Showcase: “The world’s at least twice as big as the open world, the playable area, of Skyrim. It’s larger than the map of Red Dead Redemption 2.”
Note: Map measurements are community estimates. Exact figures vary by measurement methodology. Crimson Desert size extrapolated from developer statements.
November 2019
Crimson Desert first revealed at G-Star 2019 alongside PLAN 8 and DokeV. Originally conceived as prequel to Black Desert Online.
December 2020
Game Awards 2020 trailer release. Pearl Abyss published commentary videos explaining vision shift to standalone single-player title.
July 2021
Development delayed indefinitely. Pearl Abyss cited need for additional time while ensuring team health and safety.
August 2023
Gamescom 2023 gameplay trailer revealed after two-year silence. Combat system showcased extensively.
September 2025
Release date announcement during Sony State of Play. March 19, 2026 confirmed across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.
January 2026
New Game+ Showcase reveals map size details and confirms review codes distribution one month before launch.
March 19, 2026
Scheduled global launch date. Seven-year development cycle from initial announcement to release.
Development Timeline: Approximately 7 years from G-Star 2019 announcement to March 2026 release. Korean financial analyst (December 2023): “Crimson Desert is a game that takes 7 years from the start of development to the expected release date.”
🐉
Dragon Combat
Ride and battle dragons across Pywel. Aerial fire attacks confirmed.
☁️
Sky Islands
Explore suspended celestial islands via Aerial Abyss. Environmental puzzles included.
🐻
Bear Mounts
Ride bears that can attack enemies with paw swipes during combat.
🦖
Raptor Riding
Dinosaur-like mounts available for rapid terrain traversal.
🤖
Battle Mecha
Late-game mechas with machine guns, missiles, jump jets, and EMP blasts.
🕷️
Web-Swinging
Spider-Man-style grappling mechanics for vertical exploration.
🏠
Property System
Purchase and customize personal housing across Pywel.
🎯
Bounty Hunting
Track and capture targets across the continent.
⚔️
Freeform Combat
Dynamic combo system with wide weapon variety and elemental abilities.
🎣
Life Skills
Fishing, cooking, mining, gathering, and crafting systems.
Single-Player Focus: Crimson Desert is single-player only. No multiplayer or co-op modes planned. Will Powers confirmed the game emphasizes player choice through character progression rather than branching narrative or romance systems.
Official sources: Pearl Abyss announcements, State of Play presentation, New Game+ Showcase interviews.

The information presented covers Crimson Desert’s March 19, 2026 release date, map size comparisons verified through Pearl Abyss PR director Will Powers’ statements, and confirmed gameplay features from official previews. Development spanned approximately seven years from the 2019 G-Star announcement.

Review codes will be distributed to media one month before launch, according to Will Powers during the New Game+ Showcase interview. The game runs on Pearl Abyss’s BlackSpace Engine and launches on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S simultaneously.

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