South Korean developer Pearl Abyss held a corporate briefing yesterday, where CEO Huh Jin-young gave investors an update on Crimson Desert — including the status of a Nintendo Switch 2 port and the possibility of adding multiplayer.
The Switch 2 version entered the research and development phase back in March, according to the briefing.
Huh said it’s still early for optimization, so there’s no word yet on a release window.
The CEO stressed that porting the game to a new platform isn’t simple.
“We believe it is important to showcase Crimson Desert on as many platforms as possible,” he said.
Pearl Abyss is reviewing the Nintendo Switch 2, and it is currently being developed to a level where basic gameplay is possible.
But Huh added that platform expansion is more than a straightforward port.
“The key is whether we can fully maintain the graphics, action, and open-world experience of Crimson Desert on that device.”
The Switch 2 version still requires optimization and technical verification, and the studio must also review partner collaboration and quality standards.
Huh said, “Therefore, it is difficult to confirm a release schedule.
We will announce it transparently once there is confirmed information.”
Crimson Desert was initially planned as an online game, and Huh is aware of the high interest in multiplayer.
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He said, “It is true that the action and open-world structure of Crimson Desert have long-term expansion potential.”
However, Huh didn’t downplay the difficulty of adding multiplayer.
They are currently studying both technical feasibility and gameplay options.
Huh said, “While it is not the stage to discuss a confirmed release plan, we are continuously reviewing ways to allow users to enjoy the Crimson Desert IP for longer, and I believe there is room for a multiplayer mode in that process.”
Games originally pitched as MMOs often circle back toward multiplayer features after launching as single-player titles.
Crimson Desert was first announced as a narrative-heavy MMO, then reshaped into an open-world action-adventure game with planned multiplayer support — which eventually disappeared.
Now Pearl Abyss appears to be reconsidering that direction, though nothing is locked in.
Whether that mode would be a simple co-op setup where other players control existing playable characters, or something more ambitious, remains unclear.
During the Q&A, Huh confirmed that more details about the announced Crimson Desert DLC will come later this year.
Pearl Abyss is also working on the creature-collecting adventure title DokeV, which is currently scheduled for the second half of 2028.
For now, they are focused on getting Crimson Desert onto as many platforms as possible while keeping its core experience intact.
The Switch 2 port and any multiplayer additions remain in the research phase, with no firm dates attached, as Huh and his team consider game development and player experience.