Fans of the upcoming RPG Crimson Desert are split on the developers' claim that its open world will be at least twice as large as Skyrim's. While some worry about an empty expanse, the team assures a highly interactive environment. The reveal came during the New Game+ Showcase on January 8, 2026.
The New Game+ Showcase, held on January 8, 2026, featured an exclusive interview with Pearl Abyss's Director of Public Relations, Will Powers, discussing their action-adventure RPG, Crimson Desert. Originally planned as a prequel to Black Desert Online, the game has evolved into a standalone single-player title. Powers highlighted the open world's scale, stating it would be "at least twice as big as the open world, the playable area, of Skyrim" and even larger than that in Red Dead Redemption 2.
This promise has sparked debate among gamers. In responses to a Reddit thread inspired by IGN's coverage, one user remarked, "It could be 100 times as big, but if you don’t fill it with content it’s going to be worthless." The sentiment echoes broader frustrations with vast but sparse worlds, such as Paldea in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, often described as "wide as an ocean, deep as a puddle."
Powers addressed these concerns directly in the interview: "But size doesn’t really matter if there’s nothing to do." He emphasized the developers' goal to create a world that is "not only massive, but is also incredibly interactive." Additional details revealed include weapon and equipment crafting, player housing, and the Aerial Abyss—a network of sky islands with puzzles and rewards that plays a key role in the game. Other features encompass dynamic codex updates from world interactions, customizable playstyles, and no romance options.
Crimson Desert is scheduled for release on March 19, 2026, for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Mac.