Crimson Desert Offers Free Trial as Revenue Soars and New DLC Launches
- Crimson Desert has sold over 6 million copies in three months, leading to a $3,400 bonus for Pearl Abyss employees.
- The free trial from October 29 to January 6 allows players to experience the first five hours of the game on Xbox and PlayStation.
- The release of the new Charting the Unknown DLC was celebrated with this trial, with a sequel and multiplayer-focused DLC hinted at for the future.
Crimson Desert has emerged as one of the standout releases of 2026, achieving over 6 million copies sold within three months. This remarkable success prompted its publisher, Pearl Abyss, to reward each employee at the development studio with a bonus of $3,400. Since its launch, Pear Abyss has focused on enhancing the game and addressing significant issues identified at rollout.
As of now, more than six months post-launch and with a staggering 419 percent increase in revenue for the publisher, Pearl Abyss is inviting prospective players to experience the game at no cost. This initiative coincides with the release of the delayed Charting the Unknown DLC on October 28. The publisher is offering the first five hours of Crimson Desert free to all Xbox and PlayStation players.
The free trial is available from October 29 to January 6. It is accessible to PlayStation Plus Premium and Deluxe subscribers on PlayStation 5, as well as all Xbox players, regardless of their subscription status. However, the trial will only feature the enhanced base game, and players are unlikely to access any of the new DLC content within the limited timeframe.
Progress made during the trial will carry over should players choose to purchase the full game. It’s important to note that once the five-hour trial concludes, players cannot restart it on a different save; the timer is final.
Charting the Unknown represents the first downloadable content for Crimson Desert, with further expansions likely in the pipeline. Additionally, a version tailored for Switch 2 is currently under development, and the developers have hinted at future multiplayer-oriented DLC and a possible sequel. Interested players can begin the free trial on their preferred console now to discover what has captivated audiences around the world this year.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
