Crimson Desert reveals why it has no microtransactions

Pearl Abyss has confirmed that its upcoming open-world action-adventure game Crimson Desert will skip a traditional monetization model in favor of a one-time purchase. Crimson Desert developed as a standalone single-player experience that eschews the recurring revenue strategies often found in modern gaming.

The highly anticipated title will launch on March 19 for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. While the developer is well known for the free-to-play mechanics of the Black desertthis new project is positioned as a “premium” prestige title. Fans have closely followed the development of Crimson Desert as the title recently reached a major milestone by going gold.

Crimson Desert Too Good to Be True Cyberpunk 2077

Family

Crimson Desert looks “too good to be true” and that's why we can't have nice things

Crimson Desert looks incredible, but years of broken hype explain why players are hesitant and why its success would feel like a real turning point.

Pearl Abyss confirms that there is no in-game cash shop

During a recent interview with YouTube channel Dropped Frames, Pearl Abyss America Marketing Director Will Powers addressed questions about the game's monetization. Powers definitely stated that Crimson Desert will not include a cosmetic cash shop. Instead, the studio is leaning on pre-order bonuses, exclusive deluxe/collector's edition cosmetic items, and upcoming expansion packs to support the game. He explained that the $69.99 price is intended to provide a complete experience where players can enjoy the world of Pywel without the distraction of microtransactions.

According to Powers, the decision stems from a change in monetization philosophy. “This is made to be a premium experience that you buy and you enjoy the world, and not something for microtransactions,” he noted. He further clarified that while free games require secondary revenue streams, a premium title's transaction begins and ends with the initial purchase.

The scale of the game's environment has been a primary talking point, and the developer claims that Crimson Desert's playable surface is at least twice as large as that of Skyrim. Pywel is divided into five distinct regions – Hernand, Pailune, Demeniss, Delesyia and the Crimson Desert itself – each offering unique challenges and environmental variety. Powers emphasized that the team is focused on making sure the world is “incredibly interactive” rather than just big, filled with hidden treasures and complex mechanisms.

Crimson Desert Demo Playable Gamescom 2025

This move towards a traditional buy-to-play model is a significant departure for Pearl Abyss, likely aimed at capturing the audience that enjoys immersive single-player epics. By taking the pressure off a live service economy, the studio is betting on the quality and depth of Crimson Desert's world to drive the game's success. Whether this model continues past the launch window remains to be seen, but for now it serves as a promising sign for fans of uncompromising RPG adventures.