Crimson Desert’s Expansive Open World Set to Launch Without Microtransactions

Pearl Abyss has officially stated that its eagerly awaited open-world single-player title, Crimson Desert, will not include any microtransaction-heavy cash shop or in-game store at launch. The studio emphasizes that the game’s $70 price tag represents a complete “premium experience” for players.

This assurance came during an interview with Pearl Abyss’ PR and Marketing Director, Will Powers, on a gaming podcast. When questioned about whether Crimson Desert would adopt a monetization model similar to that of Pearl Abyss’ MMO, Black Desert Online, Powers responded, “This is a premium game you buy one time.” He added, “I don’t want to say there’s zero MTX, because there are pre-order bonuses, but anything that’s announced and coming at launch is strictly cosmetic.”

When pressed about the potential for a cash shop at launch, Powers firmly stated, “No. I can say that definitively. There is not a cosmetic cash shop. This is made to be a premium experience that you buy, and you enjoy the world, and not something for microtransactions… This is a premium experience. That’s the transaction. Full stop.”

The “transaction” Powers refers to is Crimson Desert’s $70 launch price, contrasting with Black Desert Online’s model, which involves a one-time $10 purchase along with optional cosmetic microtransactions and DLC that can range from $30 to $50. It’s become increasingly common for single-player RPGs, like Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Dragon’s Dogma 2, to feature microtransaction shops filled with content that can’t be unlocked through regular gameplay.

While some may find the need for this clarification unusual, it likely arises from the announcement of Crimson Desert’s $80 “Deluxe Edition” pre-order option, which includes various cosmetic items like the Kairos armor set and Exclaire horse armor. There’s also a $280 “Collectors Edition,” but if you’re willing to spend that much, microtransactions probably aren’t a major concern for you.

Powers’ comments also leave the door open for potential non-cosmetic DLC in the future, which wouldn’t be surprising given that over two million players have already wishlisted Crimson Desert as of February 1st.