Crimson Desert DLC Gets Approval in Saudi Arabia, but UAE and Kuwait Availability Remains Unclear

Crimson Desert players in Saudi Arabia are one step closer to accessing the game’s first paid expansion, Charting the Unknown, after Pearl Abyss confirmed that the DLC received regulatory approval in the Kingdom. However, the situation remains uncertain for players in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, where the expansion’s availability has yet to receive a similar announcement.

The regional restrictions initially raised concerns among players after Pearl Abyss announced that the expansion would not be available in certain markets following a review of content and age-rating requirements. Although some reports described the situation as a ban, the developer never officially used that term or identified the specific content responsible for the restrictions.

The Saudi approval suggests that the review process can produce different outcomes depending on the market, rather than representing a permanent regional restriction.

Pearl Abyss Confirms Saudi Arabia Approval for Crimson Desert DLC

In an official update published on October 30, Pearl Abyss confirmed that Charting the Unknown had received approval following its submission to GMEDIA, Saudi Arabia’s media regulator. The studio stated that preparations were underway to make the expansion available through digital storefronts in the Kingdom.

The announcement is significant because the base version of Crimson Desert remained available in Saudi Arabia and the UAE even while the expansion faced regional restrictions. Since downloadable content is distributed as a separate product, it can undergo its own content and age-rating assessment.

Pearl Abyss has not disclosed which elements of Charting the Unknown prompted additional scrutiny. Speculation has focused on its relationship-building features, particularly after promotional material showed protagonist Kliff presenting flowers to another character. However, neither the developer nor Saudi regulators have confirmed that romance or same-sex relationships were responsible for the review.

The distinction matters because speculation surrounding the restriction should not be treated as an official explanation. Saudi Arabia’s approval confirms that the expansion passed its review, but it does not establish why the initial submission required further assessment.

UAE and Kuwait Players Still Await an Official Update

While Saudi Arabia has received confirmation of the expansion’s approval, players in the UAE and Kuwait have not received an equivalent announcement. Pearl Abyss has also not published a complete list of the markets affected by its original restriction, leaving players to rely on regional reports and storefront information.

The uncertainty has created additional problems for customers who pre-ordered the DLC. Some players reportedly received automatic refunds after pre-orders were closed, while others had to contact their respective platform support teams. Reports from Middle Eastern players also described difficulties obtaining PlayStation refunds, although these individual experiences do not establish a universal refund policy.

Purchasing the expansion through another region may not offer a straightforward solution either. Charting the Unknown requires the base game on the same platform, making regional storefront and account compatibility important for existing owners.

What Crimson Desert’s Charting the Unknown Expansion Includes

Outside restricted markets, Charting the Unknown launched on October 29, 2026, following a delay from its original October 15 release date. The paid expansion costs $24.99 or £19.99 and is available for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Mac.

The DLC introduces new activities and features, including a ship, open-ocean exploration, underwater diving, and expanded housing options. It also adds three questlines designed for players who have completed the main campaign, making the expansion post-game content rather than an early-game addition.

Pearl Abyss also offered a five-hour trial of the Crimson Desert Enhanced base game to PlayStation Plus Premium and Deluxe subscribers, as well as Xbox players. Trial progress carries over if players purchase the full game, but the paid expansion is not included.

For now, Saudi Arabia’s approval is a positive development for players in the region, but it does not resolve the situation across the entire Gulf. UAE and Kuwait players will need to wait for Pearl Abyss to provide further information about the expansion’s regional availability.