Crimson Desert Sells 2 Million Copies as Player Backlash Intensifies

A rugged warrior in dark fur armor stands on a snowy mountain, holding a glowing device. The landscape is vast and icy, conveying a sense of adventure.
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By Alexandria LopezStaff Writer

A rugged warrior in dark fur armor stands on a snowy mountain, holding a glowing device. The landscape is vast and icy, conveying a sense of adventure.
  • Primary Subject: Crimson Desert (Launch Version)
  • Key Update: Pearl Abyss confirmed 2 million copies sold in 24 hours, even as the game faces "Mixed" reviews due to confusing control schemes and PS5 technical issues.
  • Status: Confirmed
  • Last Verified: March 21, 2026
  • Quick Answer: Crimson Desert sold 2 million units on day one, though players are currently criticizing its overlapping control inputs and frequent crashing on the PS5.

Crimson Desert had a successful launch, but not everyone has had a good time playing it.

Pearl Abyss released Crimson Desert on March 19, 2026. The much-anticipated open-world action-adventure game was met with high expectations, but for many, it failed to meet their standards. Despite that, the game still achieved a huge milestone on its first day.

Here's everything we know about Crimson Desert's latest achievements and the reaction from the fan base.

Crimson Desert Sells 2 Million Copies On Launch Day

Just a day after Crimson Desert launched worldwide, Pearl Abyss took to its social media accounts to announce that the game sold 2 million copies worldwide.

A lone figure stands on a platform, surrounded by towering, fragmented structures and floating rings. The scene is misty and otherworldly, evoking mystery.
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Credit: Pearl Abyss

In their post, they thanked the fans, their community, and the players who decided to explore Pywel. The Korean studio expressed its resolve to listen to player feedback and work to make improvements quickly. They stated they are "doing our utmost to make the journey ahead even more enjoyable for our players."

READ MORE: Why Our Crimson Desert Review Is Delayed (And Why That’s a Good Thing)

The post came after many reviews and fan responses criticized Crimson Desert's gameplay. From clunky controls to PS5's crashing mid-game, it appears gamers are less than pleased with the game's quality.

Gamers Flame Crimson Desert Following Launch

One of the biggest criticisms Crimson Desert received from players is the confusing controls.  For example, when playing on a controller, the button to pick up an item is X. However, that is also the jump button. This makes simply picking something up a daunting task - you might spend a minute or two jumping.

A knight in ornate golden armor stands amidst lush greenery with a waterfall and cliffs in the background. The scene conveys a sense of adventure and serenity.
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Credit: Pearl Abyss

Several players have reported doing the wrong action due to how confusing the controls are. It's bothered fans so much that the game now has Mixed reviews on Steam.

READ MORE: Caught Between Hype and Hesitation: My Crimson Desert Dilemma

Will Powers, Pearl Abyss's PR and Marketing Director, has defended the confusing controls of the game. He compares it to learning to ride a bike, stating, "It comes naturally after you learn it. [It] just takes a minute."

Social media exchange about a game. Bingo suggests it’s good but needs simpler controls. Will Powers compares learning it to riding a bike.
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Credit: @WillJPowers on X

PS5 players have also reported that the game tends to crash often, especially when opening the map. The game also hangs and takes its sweet time loading up assets. Players are encouraged to report any issues to Pearl Abyss through their Discord, but with the sheer amount of complaints, who knows how long it will take until the game becomes playable for everyone?

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