Elder Scrolls-inspired rpg Crimson Desert set to launch with map larger than Skyrim and RDR 2

Pearl Abyss says Crimson Desert’s open world is twice the size of Skyrim and larger than Red Dead Redemption 2

An upcoming role-playing game inspired by large-scale open worlds such as The Elder Scrolls and Red Dead Redemption is drawing attention. Crimson Desert, developed and published by Pearl Abyss, is scheduled to launch on 19 March 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.

Crimson Desert is described by its developer as “an open-world action-adventure game set in the beautiful yet brutal continent of Pywel”.

According to the official synopsis, players will “embark on a journey to the Greymane Kliff and restore what has been lost”, while exploring uncharted lands and facing a range of threats across the game’s world.

Additional details about the project have circulated online following commentary shared by the X account Culture Crave. The account stated that Crimson Desert has been in development for approximately seven years and will feature a wide variety of traversal and gameplay systems.

These reportedly include riding creatures such as dragons, bears and raptors, piloting a mech, purchasing property, bounty hunting and web-swinging mechanics.

One of the most notable claims highlighted is the size of the game’s map. According to Culture Crave, Crimson Desert’s world is said to be twice the size of Skyrim’s Tamriel and larger than the map featured in Red Dead Redemption 2.

The game is also expected to include explorable sky islands, expanding vertical exploration beyond the main terrain.

Gameplay footage released so far has shown large environments, real-time combat and expansive landscapes, though final impressions will depend on the completed release. Pearl Abyss has confirmed that Crimson Desert is designed as a single-player experience.