Crimson Desert will be slowing down its free updates in preparation for its paid DLC, and I'm just glad Pearl Abyss is finally pacing itself

Crimson Desert has been receiving numerous free updates, including a recent overhaul to its story. However, the game's developer, Pearl Abyss, is preparing to release its first major paid DLC content. While updates will still occur, the scope and pace of these updates will diminish, according to Pearl Abyss' director of marketing and PR, Will Powers, as reported by IGN at Gamescom 2026.

Powers explained that the team will shift resources from regular updates to focus on the upcoming DLC. Crimson Desert was already a game with an extensive amount of content at launch, but it has been further enhanced with 20 new small critters, a shotgun, various chest types, difficulty options, new animal mounts, inventory management, the ability to own pets, boss rematches, and legendary creatures.

The game's sheer volume of features and mechanics suggests that it is an ambitious project. Despite the developer's commitment and energy, Powers believes that slowing down the update frequency is the right decision. The paid DLC is set to be released sometime in the final quarter of 2026, which is surprising given the game's immense scope.

With a baseline completion time of around 250 hours, Crimson Desert is already a monumental undertaking, and it is anticipated that by 2036, the game may even have achieved feats such as creating infinite energy and curing every illness.