One of 2026’s Biggest Games Will Get DLC Before the End of the Year

Despite a polarized initial reception, Crimson Desert has rapidly ascended to become one of the year’s standout titles. Consequently, the announcement by developer and publisher Pearl Abyss regarding upcoming downloadable content last June came as little surprise. While specifics have remained scarce, a recent financial earnings report has finally shed light on when players can experience the action RPG’s inaugural expansion.

Pearl Abyss’ second-quarter 2026 earnings report highlights DLC as a cornerstone of the studio’s strategy to expand the Crimson Desert ecosystem. According to the document, the team is “targeting a release within this year” for the first add-on. With more than half the year already behind us, the window for this launch is rapidly narrowing. Although the report omitted concrete details concerning pricing or gameplay mechanics, management indicated that further information will be disclosed during the third-quarter briefing. Furthermore, Pearl Abyss noted that the scope and schedule of subsequent expansions will depend heavily on the commercial and critical reception of this first release.

Platform expansion represents another vital frontier for the game’s ongoing trajectory. Building on earlier, vague mentions of a Nintendo Switch 2 port, the latest earnings report confirms that Crimson Desert has successfully “reached a playable baseline” on successor hardware. Engineers are currently conducting thorough technical audits to refine overall stability and optimize visual fidelity. Pearl Abyss has set its sights on delivering the Switch 2 adaptation sometime during the first half of 2027.

Several other notable takeaways emerged from the financial update. Pearl Abyss categorically ruled out a mobile adaptation, explaining that existing portable hardware cannot sustain the title’s demanding visual standard. Conversely, responding to substantial community demand, the studio is undertaking “extensive” feasibility research into potential multiplayer features. While implementing cooperative mechanics introduces immense design challenges, leadership is actively exploring possibilities. It remains undetermined whether these multiplayer elements will manifest as a direct add-on or a standalone project, though Pearl Abyss views Crimson Desert as the foundation for a much larger franchise, promising further announcements regarding its future in due course.

Not much to see underwater

Source: Polygon