Pearl Abyss and PLAION join forces for the global distribution of Crimson Desert

Both companies sign a distribution agreement in order to obtain the greatest possible reach with this new and expected IP from Pearl Abyss.

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The distribution company PLAION has joined forces with Pearl Abyss to lead the physical distribution effort of Crimson Desert, the new action-adventure IP set in an open world. Through this collaboration, PLAION will leverage its international network and local teams with extensive experience to bring the game to a global level, adding to Pearl Abyss’s worldwide presence and reputation.

Crimson Desert takes place in the world of Pywel, a beautiful yet brutal environment, where players control Kliff, the leader of the Greymanes, a band of battle-hardened mercenaries. Kliff’s mission is to fight to save Pywel from an impending catastrophe, exploring vast landscapes and engaging in intense battles against formidable monsters, with the goal of obtaining valuable loot.

A Global Partnership

The game was initially planned for release later this year, but a few weeks ago, Pearl Abyss confirmed that its new IP would be delayed until 2026. One of the reasons cited by the company was the need to find a good partner for distribution, which is now resolved with the incorporation of PLAION.

PLAION has a solid track record in the industry and a prominent presence in the market, positioning it as a trusted leader in the gaming sector. Its experience in publishing and distributing video games worldwide is well-known, and now it joins forces with Pearl Abyss to drive the growth of this new IP. A partnership that has been deemed essential to reach a global market.

PLAION is already proving to be a solid partner for Pearl Abyss in our expansion into international markets. Collaborating with PLAION, thanks to its global presence, will allow us to bring Crimson Desert to even more fans around the world. We are pleased to partner with a physical video game distributor that shares our ambitious vision for an adventure set in the beautiful yet unforgiving continent of Pywe – Kevin Kim, CBO of Pearl Abyss

We are proud to work with Pearl Abyss to bring Crimson Desert to players worldwide. Our global network and specialized teams in each territory will make it possible for fans to enjoy the incredible experience of Crimson Desert. This collaboration demonstrates PLAION’s growing commitment and strength in the Asia-Pacific region and underscores our mission to establish ourselves as a global force in video game publishing – Craig McNicol, CEO of PLAION Partners

Crimson Desert will arrive at some point in early 2026. In the meantime, you can read our impressions after a few hours of gameplay as we faced some of the bosses that will be available in the game at launch.