Pearl abyss shifts gears: from medieval combat to creature collection

After a protracted five-year development cycle, Pearl Abyss has finally closed the book on Crimson Desert, a sprawling open-world RPG that has garnered surprisingly positive reviews following its March 19th launch. But the South Korean studio isn’t resting on its laurels. The same core development team that poured years into Crimson Desert is now pivoting to DokeV, an ambitious project itself that’s been gestating for six years.

A strategic repositioning: beyond the mmo label

The shift represents more than just a change in projects; it signals a deliberate attempt by Pearl Abyss to diversify its portfolio. Initially announced alongside Crimson Desert in 2019 during Pearl Abyss Connect, DokeV was conceived as a way for the studio to move beyond its established reputation as an MMO developer. The challenge, however, was significant. Pearl Abyss was simultaneously building the BlackSpace Engine from the ground up – a proprietary graphics engine intended for both Crimson Desert and DokeV. This dual-track development proved unsustainable, forcing the team to focus solely on the medieval open world first.

Now, with Crimson Desert entering its post-launch phase, the studio’s primary development force can dedicate itself fully to DokeV, accelerating its progress and fine-tuning the new technology. But don't expect a direct sequel. The game has undergone a metamorphosis since its initial unveiling. Originally pitched as an open-world MMO centered on creature collection, DokeV has morphed into an action-adventure open-world title where creature capture is merely one facet of the experience— a strategic adjustment that mirrors the varied gameplay found in Crimson Desert.

The engine's capabilities are key. The ability to fully leverage the BlackSpace engine, honed during Crimson Desert's development, is a significant advantage for DokeV. Furthermore, Pearl Abyss hasn’t abandoned its MMO ambitions entirely. The studio is also quietly working on “Plan 8,” a massively multiplayer online shooter set in a sci-fi universe featuring exosuits, also announced in 2019.

This ambitious roadmap places the release of DokeV at the earliest in 2028, with Plan 8 likely following sometime in the next decade. The sheer scale of these projects, coupled with the need to refine the BlackSpace Engine, suggests Pearl Abyss is playing a long game, aiming to solidify its position as a major player in the global gaming landscape. The company's financial state underscores the stakes: the reported debt of over 3.3 billion won highlights the pressure to deliver.