Crimson Desert Reveals Why It Has No Microtransactions

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Pearl Abyss announced that their new open-world action game, Crimson Desert, will be a one-time purchase, meaning players will buy the game once and won’t have to worry about ongoing fees or subscriptions. Unlike many games today, Crimson Desert is designed as a complete, single-player experience without relying on recurring payments.

The new game will be released on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on March 19th. Unlike the developer’s previous free-to-play game, Black Desert, this title is a full-priced, premium experience. Fans are excited because development of Crimson Desert is now complete, meaning the game has gone gold.

Pearl Abyss Confirms No In-Game Cash Shop

In a recent interview with Dropped Frames, Will Powers, marketing director for Pearl Abyss America, clarified how Crimson Desert will be monetized. He confirmed the game won’t have a standard cash shop for cosmetic items. Instead, the developers plan to fund the game through pre-order perks, special cosmetic items included in deluxe or collector’s editions, and future expansion packs. Powers explained that the $69.99 price is meant to offer a full and complete game experience, free from the interruptions of microtransactions, allowing players to fully enjoy the world of Pywel.

According to Powers, the decision to avoid microtransactions comes from a change in how they view earning money from the game. He explained that they want this to be a high-quality experience you purchase once and fully enjoy, rather than constantly asking for small payments. Unlike free-to-play games that rely on ongoing revenue, they see the initial purchase of this game as the complete transaction.

One of the biggest features of the game is its massive world, which the developers say is at least twice the size of Skyrim. The world of Pywel is split into five different areas—Hernand, Pailune, Demeniss, Delesyia, and the Crimson Desert—each with its own unique challenges and landscapes. The developers are making sure the world isn’t just large, but also highly interactive, with plenty of secrets and intricate systems to discover.

Pearl Abyss is shifting away from the typical free-to-play format and going back to a traditional “buy-to-play” system, likely to attract players who love deep, story-driven single-player games. They’re hoping the quality and rich world of Crimson Desert will be enough to make the game a hit, without relying on ongoing purchases. It’s unclear if this will be a permanent change, but it’s good news for RPG fans who want a complete adventure without extra costs.

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2026-02-16 21:05