Crimson Desert Dev 'Sick' of Having to Repeatedly Deny 'Hiding' Console Footage, as Some Fear 'Another Cyberpunk Console Launch Situation'

IGN

by Wesley Yin-Poole

March 4, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Will Powers, the public face of Crimson Desert in the West, has expressed frustration over accusations that Pearl Abyss, the game's developer and publisher, is "hiding" console footage for the highly anticipated open-world action adventure game. Powers has repeatedly assured fans that additional details about the game's performance on consoles will be revealed closer to its release date. This comes amid concerns from some gamers who fear a repeat of the disastrous Cyberpunk 2077 launch, where CD Projekt failed to show adequate console footage before release, leading to widespread disappointment. The lack of confirmed performance figures for Crimson Desert on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S has left players wondering how the game will perform on their platforms. This uncertainty has sparked a mix of genuine concern and enthusiasm among fans, with many calling for more transparency to make informed purchase decisions. Powers emphasized that Pearl Abyss is committed to providing information in a timely manner but stressed that demanding reveals on a specific timeline is "entitlement," not a right. While the situation with Cyberpunk 2077 was different—Crimson Desert will release only on PC and current-gen consoles—the lessons from that debacle remain fresh. Many gamers are cautious, as the absence of console footage has left them questioning whether they should pre-order the game without seeing it run on base consoles. Powers reassured fans that Pearl Abyss is working to address these concerns and provide clarity ahead of the game's launch. For gaming enthusiasts, this matters because trust between developers and players is crucial. The Cyberpunk 2077 example highlights the importance of transparency in building anticipation for a game. As Crimson Desert approaches its release date, gamers are eager for assurances that Pearl Abyss will avoid repeating past mistakes, ensuring a smoother launch and delivering on the promise of an engaging experience.

Verticals

gaming

Originally published on IGN on 3/4/2026