Is Crimson Desert an RPG? Weird Online Arguments Erupt as Dev Refuses to Call It One

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Crimson Desert is coming to PS5 in just one month, and it’s quickly become one of the most eagerly awaited games of 2026 for many players.

The big question surrounding Crimson Desert right now is whether it can truly be called a role-playing game. This debate has been happening online for the past day, with people arguing back and forth on social media.

It’s not unusual for people to get strongly opinionated about what kind of game something is, but the discussion around Crimson Desert is particularly noteworthy.

Pearl Abyss, the game’s developer, doesn’t label it as a role-playing game, even though it shares many similarities with most open-world RPGs.

We actually used to describe Crimson Desert as an open world RPG shortly after it was first revealed.

Right after the article came out, the game’s public relations team contacted us. They clarified that the game isn’t a role-playing game (RPG), and asked us to refer to it as an open-world adventure instead.

We’ve long been curious about why Pearl Abyss avoids labeling their game as an RPG, and the discussion has resurfaced recently with new previews and interviews.

The discussion seems to have started with a social media post by @SynthPotato, as reported by IGN. The core of the debate revolves around the developer emphasizing that Crimson Desert doesn’t use traditional RPG elements like experience points or character leveling, leading them to state it shouldn’t be classified as a role-playing game.

However, others argue that it does include many features we expect from modern games, like character stats, equipment, collectible items, optional missions, skill upgrades, and even complex crafting systems.

So, the idea is that Pearl Abyss is being cautious and trying to manage player expectations, which is understandable. They likely don’t want players anticipating a deeply complex role-playing experience like those found in games such as Baldur’s Gate 3 or The Witcher 3.

People are still debating what this game will be, but we’re just hoping it lives up to its promise, whether it’s a true role-playing game or not.

Okay, so what do you guys think about Crimson Desert? Honestly, I’m a little confused. Is it really an RPG, or is Pearl Abyss shooting themselves in the foot for some reason? I’m trying to wrap my head around it all, and I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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2026-02-19 01:37