Crimson Desert Brings New Playable Demo to Gamescom 2025

Open-world RPG returns to the spotlight with hands-on gameplay ahead of its highly anticipated launch.

Pearl Abyss has officially confirmed that Crimson Desert will feature a brand-new playable demo at Gamescom 2025, giving fans their first opportunity to experience the ambitious open-world action RPG before its release later this year.

The demo will be available to attendees from August 20–24, and while it will be playable with a controller, the experience will be running on high-end PC hardware for optimal performance.

“We’re thrilled to debut Crimson Desert’s latest public demo for the very first time here at Gamescom 2025,” said Lybee Park, CEO of Pearl Abyss Europe.
“We can’t wait for fans to get hands-on with the experience we’ve crafted. From the immersive booth to the gameplay itself, we hope every visitor walks away feeling part of Crimson Desert — and excited for what’s to come at launch.”

⚔️ A Standalone Journey in the Black Desert Universe

Originally envisioned as a prequel to Black Desert Online, Crimson Desert has since evolved into a standalone game set in the same universe. The story unfolds in the war-torn world of Pywel, following Kliff, the leader of a once-unified band of mercenaries known as the Greymanes.

After the group fractures, Kliff sets out on a personal quest to bring his allies back together — all while navigating massive boss battles, dynamic exploration, and a visually rich world brimming with conflict and mystery.

🛡️ Platforms & Expectations

Crimson Desert is currently in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. With extensive gameplay footage already shown — including real-time combat, mount traversal, and cinematic storytelling — expectations are high for its launch window later this year.

Fans should keep an eye on Gamescom not just for the demo, but potentially a final release date announcement.