Pearl Abyss’s upcoming fantasy action game Crimson Desert has stirred controversy just a week before its release. The developers quietly introduced the Denuvo anti-piracy system on the game’s Steam page, igniting outrage among fans during peak preorder activity.
The announcement came on March 12, shortly after the reveal trailer had raised excitement for this open-world RPG. SteamDB tracked the addition of Denuvo around midday Moscow time, confirming that the protection software would be in place once Crimson Desert launches on March 20.
Preorders had already been live at 4,299 rubles in Russia, making this last-minute security reveal a bitter pill for many. Traditional criticism of Denuvo’s impact on game performance fueled player backlash, with forums and Steam discussions flooded by cancellation announcements and wishlist removals.
While denounced for potentially degrading performance-despite mixed evidence-Denuvo’s reputation as a heavy-handed DRM persists. Gamers expressed fears this move might mar their experience, particularly so close to launch, shaking trust in Pearl Abyss as hype peaked.
Crimson Desert Denuvo DRM and platform availability
Pearl Abyss has confirmed the absence of microtransactions in Crimson Desert, a plus note that might soften the blow for some fans. The title will be available on multiple platforms, including:
- PC (Steam, Microsoft Store)
- Mac (App Store)
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X and S
Crimson Desert release date and preorder details
Despite the Denuvo uproar, Crimson Desert is set to launch on March 20 at 1:00 AM Moscow time. The preorder price in Russia remains 4,299 rubles. This controversy highlights the challenge developers face balancing piracy protection with community goodwill-especially when such protection measures appear late and out of sync with fan expectations.