Pearl Abyss launched Crimson Desert on March 19, 2026. Twenty-nine days later, the studio revealed that it had shipped 5 million copies on PS5 and PC, making it the fastest game from a South Korean developer to achieve that milestone.
Crimson Desert has hit several milestones since its launch, including attracting 276,261 concurrent players on Steam. At the time of writing, 121,891 people were playing the game on Steam, which is a strong number for a single-player game that has been on the market for over a month.
On Metacritic, it received an average Metascore of 78 on PS5 and 77 on PC. These phenomenal milestones have not gone unnoticed. In a tweet on Friday, April 24, 2026, South Korea’s Prime Minister Kim Min-seok heaped praise on Crimson Desert.
“Achieved 5 million sales in the shortest time in Korean console game history, just 26 days after release,” read the message posted by the PM.
“We sincerely congratulate the achievement of *Red Desert*, which has elevated the status of the Korean game industry on the global stage.
A living game world crafted entirely with their own technology from start to finish, graphics akin to photorealism, and proactive communication that captured the hearts of gamers worldwide. By naturally incorporating Korean elements like taekwondo and Korean cuisine, it has opened a new chapter in K-content.
This accomplishment serves as a crucial turning point, demonstrating that the domestic game industry can expand and leap forward across diverse platforms, including consoles.
The government will also take responsibility and provide active support. We will create an environment where K-games can shine as a pillar of K-content.
Once again, we congratulate Pearl Abyss on achieving 5 million sales of *Red Desert*.”
If you have played Crimson Desert, tell us what you enjoyed the most and what the developers could have done better. Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
