The upcoming action-adventure game, Crimson Desert, has sparked a lively debate among fans following a claim that its open world will be “at least twice as big” as the iconic map of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. This announcement was made during the New Game+ Showcase on January 8, 2024, where game trailers and developer interviews captivated viewers. However, instead of generating excitement, the promise of an expansive map has raised concerns among gamers regarding the potential for a lack of engaging content.
During the showcase, Will Powers, Director of Public Relations at Pearl Abyss, discussed the size of the game in comparison to popular titles such as Skyrim and Red Dead Redemption 2. He emphasized that Crimson Desert would surpass both in size significantly, a statement that quickly circulated on social media. Many fans responded with skepticism, reflecting on past experiences with vast open worlds that felt empty and unfulfilling.
As fans expressed their opinions online, one Reddit user articulated a common sentiment: “It could be 100 times as big, but if you don’t fill it with content, it’s going to be worthless.” This sentiment echoes the frustration many players have felt after exploring large, uninhabited game worlds, often described with the phrase “wide as an ocean, deep as a puddle.”
Despite these concerns, Powers attempted to alleviate fears during the same interview by stating, “size doesn’t really matter if there’s nothing to do.” He highlighted the developers’ commitment to creating a world that is “not only massive, but is also incredibly interactive.” This assertion suggests that the team is focused on ensuring that Crimson Desert will offer meaningful gameplay experiences rather than simply relying on scale as a selling point.
Crimson Desert is set for release on March 19, 2024, for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. As one of the year’s most anticipated new RPGs, the game aims to blend expansive exploration with rich content. The success of this ambitious project will ultimately depend on whether it can deliver both a vast world and engaging gameplay.
As the release date approaches, the gaming community continues to speculate on what Crimson Desert will bring to the table. Will it rise to meet the high expectations set by its predecessors, or will it fall prey to the pitfalls of empty open-world design? Only time will tell as players eagerly await their chance to explore this expansive new universe.
