Crimson Desert, anticipated as one of the year’s biggest game releases, is facing some last-minute concerns as its launch approaches. The game, which is slated to arrive on March 19, is adding a layer of digital rights management (DRM) that has sparked debate among PC gamers – a common issue as developers seek to protect their intellectual property.
Developer Pearl Abyss quietly announced on March 12 that the PC version of Crimson Desert will incorporate Denuvo Anti-Tamper technology. The change appeared as an update to the game’s Steam listing, and too notes a limit of five PC activations within a 24-hour period. SteamDB also confirmed the addition of Denuvo to the game’s metadata on the same day.
Denuvo has a mixed reputation within the gaming community. While intended to prevent piracy and tampering, some players associate the software with potential performance issues, including instability, increased processor usage, and reduced frame rates. Reports detailing these impacts have circulated online, fueling concerns about the game’s optimization.
Adding to the pre-launch discussion, the physical release of Crimson Desert on PlayStation 5 requires a substantial download even with the disc. The game disc itself contains 77.03 GB of data, but a further 48.24 GB must be downloaded before the game can be played. This day-one patch is required to even launch the game, raising familiar questions about the longevity and viability of physical media in an era of increasingly large game files. The large patch size has also drawn criticism regarding optimization and file compression.
Crimson Desert will launch on PC and PlayStation 5 on March 19. The title will be available in standard, deluxe, and collector’s editions, each offering unique physical and digital bonuses.
