Pearly Abyss reportedly gives Crimson Desert Devs bonus

It's been just over a month since Crimson Desert was released on consoles and PC, and despite some early hiccups that have mostly been fixed with major patches, the game can almost certainly be called a success, having passed five million copies sold.

That success has reportedly led to Crimson Desert's developer, South Korean studio Pearl Abyss, giving its employees a massive congratulatory bonus.

As first spotted by IGN and reported by South Korean news site MTN, Pearl Abyss gave employees a bonus of five million won to celebrate the five million copies sold. That equates to nearly $3,400.

“I express my deep respect and gratitude for the hard work of each of you who created a product that the world is excited about, and I pay a celebration bonus for achieving 5 million sales to all employees who have quietly performed their roles in their respective positions,” Pearl Abyss CEO Heo Jin-young said in an internal statement to staff.

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Heo further noted that the achievement will help the studio in its future endeavors.

“Our journey does not end here,” Heo said. “The potential we confirmed today will be the most powerful driving force to overcome all the challenges we face in the future.”

Per MTN, Pearl Abyss reported a total of 733 employees, bringing the total payout to just over 3.6 billion wWon, or nearly $2.5 million USD. Another bonus, based on 2026 financial results, is due in early 2027.

Praise for Crimson Desert and Pearl Abyss is pouring in

In addition to the employees receiving a hefty bonus, the developers of Crimson Desert were also met with praise from South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok.

“I sincerely congratulate the success of Crimson Desert, which has raised the status of the South Korean gaming industry on the global stage,” Kim wrote on social media.

“The vivid game world, created entirely with their own technology from start to finish, graphics similar to photo-realism, and proactive communication have captured the hearts of players worldwide. By naturally weaving in Korean elements such as Taekwondo and Korean cuisine, they have opened a new chapter for K-content.”

It's one of many accolades international studios have received from major figureheads, further demonstrating the growth of the games industry and its impact on global business.