Crimson Desert, which launched in March to a mixed critical reception, has grown into one of the biggest games of the year, reportedly earning $200 million in its first two weeks. Despite that success, Pearl Abyss's Q2 2026 financial report notes that sales have since slowed as the initial launch impact softened.
According to the earnings letter, Pearl Abyss is developing the game's first DLC with the goal of delivering a new gameplay experience, and is targeting a release within this year. The company says further details on the DLC's structure, pricing, and exact release schedule will be shared in the third quarter, and that its primary focus right now is ensuring the quality and successful execution of this first expansion. Future add-on content will be shaped by how this first DLC performs.
On platform expansion, Pearl Abyss confirmed that Crimson Desert has reached a playable baseline on Nintendo Switch 2 and that the company is conducting technical reviews to optimize performance and quality. The Switch 2 version is being targeted for release in the first half of 2027. Pearl Abyss also stated there are no plans to bring Crimson Desert to mobile devices, since a port to those platforms would not retain the game's graphical quality.
The report also touches on multiplayer possibilities. Pearl Abyss says there is significant potential for expansion into multiplayer modes given the game's dynamic action combat and expansive open-world structure, and that it is conducting extensive research into the idea due to fan demand. The company cautions that integrating multiplayer functionality is far more complex than adding a new mode, requiring evaluation of server architecture, game balance, cross-platform stability, and live service models. It is not yet clear whether this would take the form of an expansion to the existing game or a separate title.
Beyond the immediate DLC and platform plans, Pearl Abyss frames Crimson Desert as a long-term franchise rather than a one-off release, describing it as a core flagship IP designed for long-term growth and expansion. The company says it is open to various possibilities including add-on content, platform expansion, and sequel titles, though it has not elaborated on specifics for a sequel. For now, its immediate development priority remains centered on Crimson Desert's DLCs and its next pipelines, with broader franchise decisions to be evaluated in due course.