Crimson Desert Rumors Point to Nautical-Themed DLC After Map Updates

Developer Pearl Abyss continues work on Crimson Desert, and a recent video from YouTuber NANGPLE suggests that the game's future DLC might be gearing up for a nautical theme. Players have noticed subtle visual and geographic changes in the game's environment that point to potential maritime and island-based expansions.

According to the observations, recent updates have introduced blue seaweed underwater, turned coastal regions into white, sandy terrain, and improved visibility in the underwater areas near the northern desert region. Beyond the current boundaries of the explorable zone, players have noticed visual enhancements to the horizon, particularly in a fan-named region called "South Island." There are also indications of a submerged island on the eastern side of the map. While Pearl Abyss has not officially confirmed these details, the changes suggest that the upcoming DLC—currently targeted for a 2026 release—could expand into these ocean and island territories.

Aside from these map rumors, Pearl Abyss recently rolled out an update that implemented several major quality-of-life improvements. The most significant adjustment allows players to conduct research by spending Camp Funds rather than Silver. A new Quest section has also been added to the Knowledge menu to provide tracking details for various activities, such as Daily Life Quests, Constellations, and Main Quests. Other updates include fixes for special mounts getting stuck on low ledges, a fix for climbing through unobstructed windows, and new options for Lock-On Camera Rotation.

Crimson Desert is currently available on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Pearl Abyss is also working on a port for Nintendo's successor console, currently referred to as the Switch 2, targeting a release in the first half of 2027. The developer has noted that the game is at a playable baseline on the platform and is undergoing technical reviews to preserve its performance, combat, and open-world experience.