Pearl Abyss’ Crimson Desert Enhanced Nominated for Ultimate Game of the Year

The Crimson Desert Enhanced, developed by Pearl Abyss, has earned a nomination for Ultimate Game of the Year at the prestigious Golden Joystick Awards 2026. This accolade joins its previous nods in PC Game of the Year and Best Soundtrack categories. The awards, a cornerstone of the gaming industry since 1983, are determined by public voting, with results to be unveiled in London on November 11.

The game has also demonstrated impressive commercial success; according to market research firm Circana, it secured the second spot in cumulative U.S. video game sales for 2026. Alinea Analytics even crowned it Number 1 in Steam revenue among new IP releases in the same year. On Steam, Crimson Desert Enhanced enjoys a "Very Positive" user rating from players.

The game's performance and continuous support have garnered attention from international media outlets. Forbes notably praised its sales trajectory compared to other major global releases, while IGN lauded the regular post-launch updates. Pearl Abyss is set to capitalize on this momentum with the global launch of the game's first downloadable content, Unknown Journey, on October 30 (Korea time).

Pre-orders for the title are available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and the Epic Games Store, with in-game bonuses such as the Unknown Explorer Diving Suit for Cliff and Oongka and the Unknown Explorer Lightweight Diving Suit for Damiane included as part of the pre-order package. With three award nominations and fresh content forthcoming, Crimson Desert Enhanced is poised to maintain its international appeal and attract a broader audience.