Crimson Desert goes free-to-play to celebrate DLC launch

Key Points:

• Crimson Desert has gone free-to-play with a five-hour trial available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S to celebrate the launch of its new DLC expansion, Charting the Abyss, released on October 29.
• The new DLC adds a substantial new area to the game's expansive open world, which has been praised for its size, beauty, and depth, though its scale can be overwhelming for some players.
• PlayStation users need a PlayStation Plus subscription to access the free trial, while Xbox users can play without a subscription; progress from the trial carries over to the full game if purchased.
• The trial excludes the late-game Charting the Unknown DLC and has a time limit of five hours, after which players must buy the full game to continue; the trial is available until October 27, 2027, on PlayStation and January 7, 2027, on Xbox.
• Crimson Desert is considered a strong contender for Game of the Year 2026, with its large open world and quality gameplay positioning it well amid stiff competition.