With over five million copies sold, Crimson Desert is a massive success for developer Pearl Abyss. South Korea’s Prime Minister has now acknowledged this as well.
Crimson Desertmay have faced some criticism upon release, but the open-world game’s success is now undeniable. Just under a month after its release, it had already sold 5 million copies, and playersare thrilled with how quickly developer Pearl Abyss incorporates fan feedback into new updates.
The popularity of Crimson Desert has not gone unnoticed in South Korea either: Now there are even words of praise from Prime Minister Kim Min-seok.
An important turning point
On the social platform Xthe Prime Ministercongratulates the developers of Crimson Desert on their sales success:
Selling 5 million copies in just 26 days—the fastest in the history of Korean console games.
We sincerely congratulate 《Crimson Desert》 on this remarkable achievement, which has elevated the status of the South Korean game industry on the global stage.
A vibrant game world created entirely with their own technology from start to finish, photorealistic graphics, and proactive communication have won over users worldwide…
— Kim Min-seok (@ms2030) April 24, 2026
We wholeheartedly congratulate the masterpiece Crimson Desert, which is taking the South Korean gaming industry to a new level internationally. With 5 million copies sold within 26 days, it is the fastest-selling game in Korean console gaming history.
However, Kim Min-seok particularly emphasizes the significance of Crimson Desert for Korean culture and the local gaming industry:
The natural integration of Korean elements such as taekwondo and Korean cuisine has opened a new chapter for K-content. This success marks an important turning point, demonstrating that the domestic gaming industry can expand and grow across various platforms, including consoles.
The Prime Minister promises to actively support the gaming industry and create an environment in which it can continue to thrive.
Meanwhile, the developers of Crimson Desert are far from finished with their game. Although developer Pearl Abyss does not want to promise expansions or DLCs just yet, there will definitely be further updates. Next on the list is the ability to replay boss battles; a date for the upcoming patch has not yet been announced. However, praise from the highest levels of government is certainly motivating for the developers.