Exclusivity in the video game industry is a thorny and complex topic that always sparks debate in specialized forums. Once again, it became a talking point after reports surfaced that PlayStation allegedly attempted to sign a deal to prevent the highly anticipated Crimson Desert from launching on Microsoft’s ecosystems.
It's worth remembering that Crimson Desert is an action RPG developed by Pearl Abyss, the South Korean studio responsible for the successful MMO Black Desert Online. It’s a single-player experience first announced in 2020, though its release date remains unknown.
Mid-last year, a report suggested that Sony wanted to form exclusivity partnerships with South Korean studios, and Pearl Abyss, along with its project, was supposedly on the list. At the time, it was stated the game would be multiplatform but with special content on PlayStation.
Now, another report indicates that the studio behind the project rejected Sony's exclusivity deal, which would have prevented the game from coming to Xbox, at least temporarily.
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Sony Wants Crimson Desert Exclusivity on Consoles, But Pearl Abyss Refused
According to the information, the Asian company rejected a proposal from Sony to bring Crimson Desert exclusively to PlayStation 5. It is said that the development team opted to continue self-publishing the project because they believed they would generate more revenue that way.
These statements came to light following a report for investors published by the developer studio in September 2024. The main details of the supposed agreement remain unknown, but the report states that one of the conditions was to prohibit the Xbox launch for a certain period. Thus, it seems it would have only been a temporary exclusivity.
In any case, bringing Crimson Desert to a broader selection of platforms from the start seems like a good strategy to reach a larger audience. Let’s remember that Black Desert Online is available on Xbox, PC, and PlayStation.
In short, Sony relied heavily on third-party games from Asian studios to maintain a solid lineup in 2024. One of its most significant exclusives in recent months was Stellar Blade, the popular and controversial action title developed by SHIFT UP. On the other hand, a rumor suggests that Sony signed a deal that temporarily blocked the launch of Black Myth: Wu Kong on Xbox.
But tell us, what do you think of this situation? Let us know in the comments section.
You can find more news related to Crimson Desert by visiting this page.
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