Overview
Pearl Abyss develops PC and mobile games with high visual quality and real-time combat in expansive open worlds. Its titles include Black Desert, Black Desert Mobile, Shadow Arena, Crimson Desert, DokeV, and PLAN 8, featuring rich content and regular updates. The company uses a freemium model with in-game purchases like cosmetics and upgrades to monetize a large, active player base. It differentiates itself through strong visuals, real-time combat, a diverse cross-platform portfolio, and active community engagement, with the goal of attracting and retaining players while expanding revenue through expansions and new content.
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About Pearl Abyss
Industries
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Anyang-si, South Korea
Founded
2010
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Crimson Desert sold 2.11 million copies in Q2 2026, validating demand.
- The October 29, 2026 DLC adds ship exploration, underwater content, and housing.
- Pearl Abyss posted KRW 279.7 billion operating income in H1 2026, funding more development.
What critics are saying
- Charting the Unknown slipped to October 29, 2026, inviting Phantom Blade Zero competition.
- September 2026 interviews admitted BlackSpace Engine deficiencies in complex scenes and ray-traced lighting.
- Crimson Desert revenue already softened in Q2 2026, exposing dependence on one franchise.
What makes Pearl Abyss unique
- Pearl Abyss owns BlackSpace Engine, controlling visuals and platform support across genres.
- Black Desert has 55 million players across PC, mobile, and console.
- Pearl Abyss ships frequent live updates, from September 2026 hotfixes to October DLC.
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Funding
Total Funding
$158M
Above
Industry Average
Funded Over
2 Rounds
Benefits
Paid Vacation
Commuter Benefits
Professional Development Budget
Meal Benefits
Gym Membership
Mental Health Support
Relocation Assistance
Stock Price
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
0%1 year growth
0%2 year growth
-1%Black Desert introduces level 75 cap, revamps character progression and launches Halloween events. October 9, 2026 Pearl Abyss has announced a major update for Black Desert, introducing a level cap of 75, significant changes to the Combat Level and experience point systems, and a new combat skill. The update also brings a four-week Mythical Horse reward event and the return of the game's Halloween celebrations, offering players additional challenges, seasonal activities, and exclusive rewards. The changes are designed to make character progression more structured and rewarding while providing new gameplay opportunities for both existing and returning players. Black Desert introduces level 75 cap in major progression overhaul. AMSTERDAM, Netherlands - October 8, 2026 - Pearl Abyss has implemented a substantial update to Black Desert, restructuring how players advance their characters through the game's leveling system. Previously, the massively multiplayer online role-playing game operated without a fixed character level cap. However, the amount of experience required to reach higher levels increased significantly as players progressed. Under the revised system, the maximum character level is now set at 75, establishing a defined progression target for Adventurers. The developer says the changes are intended to provide more meaningful milestones and improve the overall sense of accomplishment associated with character development. Combat Level and EXP systems receive major changes. Alongside the new level cap, Pearl Abyss has reworked the Combat Level and experience point systems. The revised progression structure is designed to make leveling more rewarding, particularly for players advancing through higher character levels. The update also introduces improvements to how Character Level and Combat EXP information appears within the game. These interface adjustments aim to make progression easier to understand, allowing players to monitor their advancement more clearly. The changes represent a notable shift from the game's previous open-ended leveling approach toward a system with a defined maximum level. New Godslayer: Force Palm skill expands combat options. In addition to the progression overhaul, Black Desert introduces a new Common Skill called Godslayer: Force Palm. The ability provides Adventurers with another combat option, allowing them to experiment with different approaches to encounters. Additional skill supports combat customization. The introduction of Godslayer: Force Palm expands the range of abilities available to players. Pearl Abyss says the skill is intended to provide greater flexibility in combat, encouraging Adventurers to explore new strategies and incorporate the ability into their preferred playstyles. The announcement does not provide detailed information about the skill's damage values, cooldowns, or specific combat effects. Nevertheless, its addition forms part of the broader update focused on character development and gameplay variety. Black Desert launches four-week Mythical Horse reward event. Alongside the gameplay changes, Pearl Abyss has introduced a special Mythical Horse event lasting four weeks. The event gives players an opportunity to earn a Mythical Horse Selection Box by completing a series of weekly challenges. Players can earn a Mythical Horse through weekly logins. The event features one challenge each week, with participation requiring players to log in to the game. Adventurers who complete all four weekly challenges will receive a Mythical Horse Selection Box. The reward allows players to select one of three Mythical Horses. The event provides an additional opportunity for players to obtain a valuable mount through regular participation rather than relying exclusively on other progression activities. Players must complete the full series of four challenges to qualify for the selection reward. Black Desert Halloween event returns October 8 through November 5. Pearl Abyss has also confirmed the return of Black Desert's annual Halloween event, running from October 8 through November 5, 2026. The seasonal celebration brings back Marni's Playground, a mysterious location featuring Halloween-themed activities and supernatural encounters. This year's event centers on investigating a demonic presence spreading throughout the playground. Players can participate in special quests, minigames, and combat challenges while exploring the seasonal environment. Marni's Playground features demons, monsters and weekly quests. During the Halloween event, Adventurers can investigate unusual activity within Marni's Playground and confront special demons and monsters. The event also includes weekly quests and seasonal minigames designed to provide additional activities beyond the game's regular content. These challenges allow players to engage with the Halloween setting while earning event-specific rewards. The seasonal activities will remain available throughout the event period, ending November 5. Halloween Seal of Purification unlocks special rewards. A central feature of the Halloween celebration is the introduction of [Event] Seal of Purification, a special event currency that players can collect through several gameplay activities. Multiple activities provide event currency. Adventurers can obtain Seals of Purification by participating in activities such as defeating monsters, Gathering, Fishing, and completing daily challenges. The currency can then be exchanged for a variety of rewards. Available reward categories include enhancement materials, premium outfit items, Halloween-themed costumes, pets, and limited-time furniture. By allowing players to earn event currency through both combat and noncombat activities, the event offers several ways to participate. The inclusion of cosmetic items and decorative furniture also provides customization opportunities for players interested in seasonal collectibles. Black Desert update combines progression changes with seasonal content. The October 2026 update introduces one of the game's notable progression changes by establishing a maximum character level of 75 and revising the Combat EXP system. The addition of Godslayer: Force Palm provides another combat option, while the Mythical Horse event and Halloween celebrations introduce time-limited rewards and activities. With Marni's Playground available through November 5 and the four-week mount event offering a Mythical Horse Selection Box, Black Desert players have several opportunities to explore the updated progression system while participating in seasonal content. Nicholas Sparks is an award-winning American writer whose bestselling novels have captivated readers for decades. Renowned for his emotional storytelling and timeless themes of love and hope, he remains one of the most influential authors in modern romance literature.
Black Desert Mobile expands new events and Rewards. Oct 5, 2026 Pearl Abyss has added new reward events to Black Desert Mobile and is holding a donation event for children with incurable diseases. Growth support for the 'Kutum' server will run for a total of eight weeks, while applications for the offline event 'Heidel Picnic' are open until October 11. Pearl Abyss has newly introduced 'Deliver Festival Dishes' to the ongoing 'Moonlight Festival.' Players can complete daily missions, such as spending 'Ancient Gold Coins,' to obtain 'Moonlight Cheese,' 'Moonlight Cookies,' and 'Moonlight Omelet,' and exchange the collected dishes for 'Moonlight Fragments.' Rewards for the special growth support event targeting 'Kutum' server players have also been increased. Based on the number of 'Medals of Honor' obtained, 'Purified Water,' 'Citron Tea,' and 'Clockwork' will be provided. During the event for children with incurable diseases, one 'Gift Selection Ticket' is distributed daily via the in-game mailbox. When players choose the item they wish to gift to the children using the selection ticket, donations will be made based on the selections collected prior to the update maintenance on October 20. 'Heidel Picnic' is an event where Black Desert Mobile players gather to enjoy meals, recreation, and discussions about the game. Detailed information will be disclosed at a later date. This article was originally written in Korean and translated with the help of AI. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by its newsroom. [Read Original]
Crimson Desert's Charting the Unknown has been delayed, but its new October 29 date sparks a harder choice. The massive Crimson Desert will become even bigger next month, as Pearl Abyss is hard at work on the Charting the Unknown expansion, which was officially announced during the September PlayStation State of Play presentation. Unfortunately, the expansion, which will see Kliff, Damiane, and Oongka embark on some maritime adventures, has been delayed from its original release date. Although short, the timing is unfortunate, as the expansion will collide with what is set to be one of the biggest releases of the year: S-Game's Phantom Blade Zero. "Hello, Greymanes. We are hard at work on Crimson Desert Enhanced: Charting the Unknown to bring you new adventures to Pywel. However, we have determined that we need additional development time to deliver a more polished and stable gameplay experience," wrote Pearl Abyss in a new message shared today on social media. "Therefore, we have decided to move the DLC's release by 2 weeks to October 29 GMT/PT." "We know many of you have been looking forward to returning to the game and we sincerely apologize for the longer wait. We will use the additional time to further refine the content and do our utmost to deliver the best experience we can," the message concluded. To be fair, when I read that the Crimson Desert Charting the Unknown expansion was delayed, I breathed a sigh of relief, as it would have released very close to Valor Mortis and Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, two high-quality games I had the chance to try out early that I am sure are going to turn out great. However, moving it to October 29 means launching it on the same day as Phantom Blade Zero, which is set to be among the biggest releases of the year, right after the monster that will be Grand Theft Auto VI. Although one may argue that an expansion is not a full game and that the two games are very different, people's time and money are limited, so many will have to choose between the two. In addition, despite the evident differences, there is a bit of overlap between the two, so the choice will be even more difficult for some, myself included. As much as I loved Crimson Desert, I have looked forward to Phantom Blade Zero since I first played it during gamescom 2024, so I will also have a difficult gaming choice to make in one month. About the author: Francesco De Meo has been covering video games and technology since 2012, starting his career at small outlets like Gamersyndrome and GeekSnack. After joining Wccftech gaming section in 2015, he quickly expanded his video gaming coverage with in-depth reporting, interviews with iconic industry figures such as Grasshopper Manufacture founder and No More Heroes creator Goichi "Suda51" Suda, Resident Evil series creator Shinji Mikami, Team NINJA's president and Nioh series director Fumihiko Yasuda, and Silent Hill creator Keiichiro Toyama, reviews and on-the-ground coverage of major industry events such as Gamescom and E3. When he's not reporting or reviewing, Francesco can be found playing the genres he loves most, spending time with his six cats, reading, writing music, playing guitar and drumming for his progressive rock band. Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of its news coverage in your feeds. Products mentioned.
Crimson Desert Enhanced nominated for PC Game of the Year and Best Soundtrack at Golden Joystick Awards 2026. September 29, 2026 Pearl Abyss announced Sept. 29 that its open-world action-adventure title Crimson Desert Enhanced has received two nominations at the 2026 Golden Joystick Awards, earning recognition in the PC Game of the Year and Best Soundtrack categories. The nominations place the title in contention at one of the gaming industry's longest-running awards programs, with winners set to be determined through an online public vote. Crimson Desert Enhanced earns two Golden Joystick nominations. The Golden Joystick Awards were established in 1983 and are marking their 44th edition in 2026. Nominees across the awards' categories are selected by a panel of gaming media representatives and industry experts, while players worldwide vote to determine the winners. Crimson Desert Enhanced is nominated for PC Game of the Year, a category recognizing games that deliver a notable experience on PC, including factors such as technical performance and optimization. The game is also competing for Best Soundtrack, which recognizes titles that use music to create memorable and immersive experiences. Golden Joystick Awards voting open through Oct. 23. Online voting for the 2026 Golden Joystick Awards is now open and will continue through Oct. 23. The winners are scheduled to be announced Nov. 11 in London. The two nominations add to the recognition for Crimson Desert Enhanced following its global release across PC and console platforms. Crimson Desert Enhanced follows Kliff across an open world. Developed by Pearl Abyss, Crimson Desert Enhanced is an open-world action-adventure game centered on Kliff, a member of the Greymanes. The story begins after a devastating nighttime ambush by the Black Bears, sworn enemies of the Greymanes. The attack leaves members of the group dead or scattered across the continent. Kliff sets out to locate his surviving comrades and rebuild what was lost. His journey leads him through a world filled with dangerous encounters, emerging alliances and mysterious factions. As the story develops, Kliff discovers that the conflict extends beyond his original mission, confronting an unprecedented threat and a larger destiny than he initially expected. Pearl Abyss continues expanding its game portfolio. Pearl Abyss was established in 2010 and is known internationally for developing the Black Desert MMORPG franchise as well as Crimson Desert Enhanced. The company develops its games using proprietary technology, with an emphasis on detailed graphics and large-scale game environments. DokeV and PLAN 8 Also in Development. Pearl Abyss is also developing DokeV and PLAN 8. Both projects are being created with the company's next-generation BlackSpace Engine as the developer continues working on new titles for global markets. The studio's two Golden Joystick nominations for Crimson Desert Enhanced recognize separate elements of the game, with PC Game of the Year focused on the overall PC experience and Best Soundtrack highlighting its musical presentation. With voting remaining open through Oct. 23, the final results will be determined ahead of the Golden Joystick Awards ceremony in London on Nov. 11. Nicholas Sparks is an award-winning American writer whose bestselling novels have captivated readers for decades. Renowned for his emotional storytelling and timeless themes of love and hope, he remains one of the most influential authors in modern romance literature.
Black Desert Mobile celebrates Moonlight Festival with seasonal events and rewards. Manhattan Beach, CA - September 22, 2026 - Pearl Abyss announced that Black Desert Mobile is celebrating the season with the Moonlight Festival, featuring a variety of special events and rewards for Adventurers. * Download the Key Art asset here. Running for three weeks through October 13, the Moonlight Festival invites Adventurers to collect Moonlight Fragments by completing special missions, logging in each day and participating in various in-game activities. Adventurers can use their collected Moonlight Fragments in the Moonlight Festival: Complete the Full Moon event to grow the moon through eight phases. Each stage unlocks rewards and provides a Combat EXP boost, which increases up to 15% as the moon progresses through each of its phases. A variety of valuable items can be earned by completing all stages, including Voidsent Eye, Okiara's Blessing, Chaos Elements, Co-op Rush Scrolls, and Purified Water/Citron Tea/Clockwork Selection Chest, and more. Additional Moonlight Fragments can be obtained through several festival events. Moonlight Festival: Scattered Moonlight Fragments rewards Adventurers for completing seven content-focused missions, while the Moonlight Festival Check-in event offers fragments simply for logging in each day. Adventurers can also earn additional fragments by completing daily and weekly missions, including staying logged in for 60 minutes, spending Silver and defeating monsters. About Black Desert The Black Desert IP is Pearl Abyss' open-world action MMORPG franchise with cutting-edge visuals and skill-based combat that redefines the genre. With the most developed character customization system of any game currently on the market, players can break out of the norm and make unique characters that truly represent themselves. Its intuitive controls, beautifully designed world, and extensive lore will excite both newcomers and veterans of MMO games and action RPGs. Pearl Abyss is currently servicing the Black Desert IP, which has gained 55 million players across the world on PC, mobile, and console. About Pearl Abyss Established in 2010, Pearl Abyss is a leading developer in the game industry with its renowned MMORPG franchise Black Desert, which is available on PC, mobile, and console. All of Pearl Abyss' games are built on the company's proprietary engine and are renowned for cutting-edge graphics. Pearl Abyss is currently developing Crimson Desert, DokeV, and PLAN 8 using its next-generation game engine and is poised to grow its overseas market. More information about Pearl Abyss is available at: www.pearlabyss.com. View as Markdown | Plain text for AI & developer tools
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About Pearl Abyss
Industries
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Anyang-si, South Korea
Founded
2010
Pearl Abyss is Hiring for 7 Jobs on Simplify!
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today