Crimson Desert Sells 2 Million Copies Amidst Mixed Reception and Stock Drop

Pearl Abyss's single-player RPG, Crimson Desert, has sold 2 million copies since its global release on March 19. The game's launch was preceded by a significant decline in Pearl Abyss's stock value, which occurred after the publication of critical review scores. Initial player feedback has highlighted various technical and gameplay issues, which the developer has acknowledged.

Game Launch & Strong Initial Sales

Crimson Desert officially launched on March 19. Developer Pearl Abyss confirmed that the game has sold 2 million copies since its release. Prior to its launch, the game had accumulated over 3 million wishlists on Steam and reported strong pre-sales figures, contributing to a previous increase in Pearl Abyss's stock price over the past year.

Critical Reception Divides Opinion

Review scores for Crimson Desert were released prior to the game's global launch, with the review embargo lifting before fan impressions were available. The game received a Metacritic score of 78 out of 100 and an OpenCritic score of 80. Metacritic classifies a score of 78 as "generally favorable."

Investor expectations for the game's critical reception were reportedly in the range of 80 to 90 out of 100, with some shareholders anticipating scores as high as 90. Individual critical reviews varied widely, with scores ranging from 4/10 to 10/10.

Critics noted the game's scope and ambition. However, some reviews highlighted concerns regarding its story, controls, user interface, character development, narrative, and the distinctiveness of its world. Conversely, some reviews acknowledged the game's technical proficiency and combat.

Stock Market Reacts to Reviews

Following the publication of critical review scores, Pearl Abyss's stock experienced a decline. Reports indicated share value reductions ranging from approximately 27% to 30%.

Specifically, the company's shares were reported to be trading at 46,600 won on the South Korean stock market, representing a 28.9% decrease from the previous session. The Seoul Economic Daily reported that investors were selling off stock in response to the review outcomes. Despite this decline, the stock price remained above its peaks from the previous year.

Player Concerns and Developer's Pledge

Initial reports from players have detailed several issues following the game's launch. These include problems with the game launching on PCs through the Xbox App, performance concerns on base PlayStation 5 models, instances of duplicated in-game assets, and difficulties with controls. As a result of these concerns, some players have sought refunds.

Pearl Abyss has acknowledged the initial launch issues and has communicated its commitment to addressing community feedback. The development team stated a pledge to listen to player input and implement improvements for the game.