This article was updated by Andrea Trama on March 14, 2026 with news about Crimson Desert's first update and cross-save. First published March 13.
It appears to be an early copy of the highly anticipated action-adventure game. crimson desert is already set for its official release on March 19th, but attempts to release the game ahead of time have revealed some rather unexpected limitations in the actual version. According to a report from PushSquare, players who want to purchase a physical copy of the game will still need an internet connection to fully install the game, as it won't be able to run directly from the disc. Instead, you should download it before downloading the required Day 1 update. crimson desert Can't start at all.
The reason seems to be that the game requires so much storage space that the disk cannot hold it all. In fact, only a little over 60% of the game's data is said to be copied from the disc itself, but players will still need to download an additional 48GB of the update. crimson desertWith the release of , the overall install space is much closer to the approximately 150GB space expected for the PC version of the game.
All features of Crimson Desert confirmed so far
Crimson Desert is a massive game, and while the features confirmed so far are only a small portion of all that's coming, it's still an extensive list.
Crimson Desert's large file size leaves the physical version in odd spots.
This may all sound a bit strange, but it's actually becoming increasingly common in newer AAA releases. Massive open world games such as crimson desert Disk storage limitations are now causing serious problems, with total installation sizes regularly exceeding 100 GB. For crimson desert Notably, the initial install footage shows the disk only copying around 76-77GB of data, and you'll need to download the appropriately sized portion of the game separately before running it.
This was confirmed in Pearl Abyss' recent FAQ post, which confirmed that despite the game being playable offline, you'll need to download an update on day one, and that all future updates will require an internet connection. It has been confirmed that cross-save is not possible in the game either.
Who is that character?
Check out the silhouette before time runs out.
start
Check out the silhouette before time runs out.
Easy (7.5 seconds) Medium (5.0 seconds) Hard (2.5 seconds) Eternal Death (2.5 seconds)
What this means for owners of physical copies of Crimson Desert
- Required same-day download – The actual console edition cannot be launched without installing a major update first.
- The disc contains only a portion of the game. – The initial install will show approximately 76-77GB copied from Blu-ray. This means that a significant portion of the game will still need to be downloaded.
- Approximately 48GB additional required – You will need to download an additional 48GB update on release date to complete the installation.
- The full game is massive – The total installed capacity is expected to be close to 150GB, similar to the storage space of the PC version.
- Offline play is still possible – After the initial update and installation, you will reportedly be able to play the game without maintaining an internet connection.
The question may be asked, “Why doesn't Pearl Abyss release the game with multiple discs?” After all, some publishers are still producing large-scale open world games, such as: crimson desertAlthough it's pretty uncommon these days. However, from a logistical standpoint, it is much simpler from a manufacturing and distribution standpoint to ship one disk with as much data as possible and then require updates to complete the installation. However, the downside is that the physical copy alone does not include a fully playable build of the game.
This may not matter that much to some players. Most modern consoles are connected to the internet anyway, and at this point first patches are basically routine. So anyone who has no clue about the ongoing conversation surrounding issues like this will probably have nothing more than a little dirt on their shoulders that they can easily shake off. Additionally, after downloading and installing the required updates, crimson desert It is said that you can then play offline without having to maintain a server connection. This means that internet requirements only affect the initial setup of the game.
Massive open world games such as crimson desert Disk storage limitations are now causing serious problems, with total installation sizes regularly exceeding 100 GB.
But for others, especially collectors and game preservation advocates, situations like this raise concerns. One of the biggest appeals of a physical copy of a game has traditionally been the idea of being able to play the game indefinitely without having to rely on digital stores or online services (some of which require a subscription). However, if the disk cannot start a game on its own, persistence becomes more difficult to ensure, and the line between ownership and rental begins to blur.
In the end, the situation crimson desert Shine a bright light on the limitations of physical media. Game discs can only hold a certain amount of data, and with games getting bigger and bigger these days, physical copies have a very hard time keeping up. For players who treat a physical copy of a game as little more than a convenient way to install the game, this may feel like an inconsequential compromise, but for players who see the disc as a way to protect their ownership long-term, this may be the case. crimson desert Another reminder that the definition of a full physical release continues to evolve.
- released
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March 19, 2026
- ESRB
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Age 17 or older / Blood, drug-related, high-intensity violence, verbal abuse
- developer
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Pearl Abyss
- publisher
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Pearl Abyss
