Shares of Pearl Abyss, the South Korean game developer behind the newly released Crimson Desert, plummeted nearly 30% on Thursday, March 20, 2026, following the game’s initial reviews. The dramatic drop underscores the high expectations—and potential financial risks—associated with large-scale game launches in today’s competitive market.
The company’s stock closed Wednesday at ₩65,600 (approximately $43.79), but opened today at ₩47,800 ($31.90) after the review embargo lifted. By the close of trading in South Korea, the share price settled at ₩46,000 ($30.70), representing an overall decline of 29.8%, VGC reported.
Crimson Desert currently holds a Metacritic score of 78, categorized as “generally favorable.” However, investors reportedly anticipated a significantly higher score, given the substantial hype surrounding the game’s impressive visuals. PluggedIn noted the decline was directly linked to these lower-than-expected ratings.
Despite the initial stock market reaction, early indicators suggest Crimson Desert may still perform well in sales. The game is currently the top-selling title on Steam, a significant jump from its ninth-place position last week, suggesting strong pre-order numbers. Forbes highlighted this potential for strong sales as a possible factor in future stock recovery.
Dr. Serkan Toto, CEO of Kantan Games, reported on X that Crimson Desert is currently the fourth best-selling game on the US PlayStation sales chart, based on dollar sales, trailing only MLB The Show 26, NBA 2K26, and Fortnite. This demonstrates continued consumer interest despite the critical reception.
Sony recently confirmed that Crimson Desert will support the improved PlayStation Spectral Reconstruction (PSSR) technology rolling out on the PlayStation 5 Pro this month. This feature aims to enhance the game’s visual fidelity on the new console.
