Pearl Abyss Says Crimson Desert Was Never Made With a Game of the Year Award as the Goal: “Making a Game to Win Awards” Is the “Wrong Approach”

Pearl Abyss has addressed the growing Game of the Year hopes surrounding Crimson Desert, with the studio making it clear that winning awards was never its main objective. During an interview with IGN at Gamescom, Will Powers, Pearl Abyss America’s Director of PR and Marketing, responded to passionate players who believe the open-world RPG deserves major GOTY recognition.

While thanking the community for its support, Powers explained that awards should be the result of creating a successful game rather than the goal that drives development. He said,

“If you’re making a game to win awards, you’re doing the wrong approach.”

Powers added that developers should instead focus on making “a great game” and allow recognition to follow naturally if players and the media believe the final product deserves it.

The comments come as Pearl Abyss continues expanding its plans for the Crimson Desert franchise, including future DLC and the possibility of multiplayer or co-op.

Pearl Abyss Says Awards Should Follow a Great Game

Speaking with IGN, Powers said the positive reaction from players is meaningful to everyone involved with the game. However, he stressed that targeting a Game of the Year award from the beginning would be the wrong creative philosophy.

“I think awards are a reward for making a great product,”

Powers said.

“If the media, if the players believe that we made a great product, then awards will come.”

Powers also confirmed that Pearl Abyss is exploring different ways to expand the Crimson Desert IP, including potential co-op or multiplayer features. However, he emphasized that the studio has not officially announced multiplayer and will only pursue it if the technology can support the experience without compromising the game’s visual fidelity or core identity.

Meanwhile, Pearl Abyss is shifting development resources toward Crimson Desert’s upcoming paid DLC, which is planned for Q4 2026. The studio also confirmed that the game is targeting a Nintendo Switch 2 release in the first half of 2027.