Crimson Desert increases Pearl Abyss Q1 earnings more than fivefold to $220.6m
Pearl Abyss posted a massive Q1 uplift after Crimson Desert launched on March 19, with operating revenue up 419.8% year over year to ₩328.5 billion ($220.6 million). Operating profit climbed to ₩212.1 billion ($142.5 million) and net profit to ₩170 billion ($114.2 million), both far above last year’s numbers. Crimson Desert alone generated ₩266.5 billion ($179.1 million), split evenly between console and PC.
For developers, the interesting part is the commercial shape of the launch: more than 80% of Crimson Desert sales came from North America and Europe, and Pearl Abyss says revenue is recognized differently on console vs. PC because of platform fees and taxes. The company expects Q2 revenue from Crimson Desert to fall from the launch quarter because package sales are front-loaded, but it’s betting on patches, updates, platform expansion, and DLC to keep momentum going.
“Revenue is recognised after deducting platform fees...”
- what
- Pearl Abyss Q1 operating revenue rose 419.8% YoY to ₩328.5 billion ($220.6 million) after Crimson Desert launched.
- who
- South Korean developer Pearl Abyss; game: Crimson Desert; also Black Desert franchise and Fenris Creations (formerly CCP Games).
- when
- Crimson Desert launched on March 19; the earnings report covers Q1.
- impact
- Shows how a successful launch can rapidly transform studio earnings, but also how revenue can be front-loaded and decline in the next quarter.
Strong launch drove major revenue and profit growth
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