A major upcoming RPG is already facing criticism from fans — and it hasn’t even released yet.
The highly anticipated open-world fantasy game Crimson Desert, developed by Pearl Abyss, is scheduled to launch on 19 March 2026 for PC and current-generation consoles. The title has been heavily marketed as one of the biggest RPG experiences of the year, promising a vast open world, large-scale battles, and cinematic storytelling that could rival genre giants like Skyrim.
But just days before release, the game has become the centre of a growing controversy after players discovered a controversial feature quietly added to the PC version.
The Feature That Sparked the Backlash
According to early reports from players monitoring the game’s Steam files, the PC version of Crimson Desert will include Denuvo anti-tamper DRM — a protection system designed to prevent piracy.
While Denuvo is widely used across the gaming industry, it has long been criticised by PC gamers who believe it can negatively impact game performance. Critics argue that the software can lead to reduced frame rates, longer loading times, or unnecessary background processes while playing.
Because the feature was reportedly added shortly before launch rather than announced earlier in development, many fans felt caught off guard.
Fans React Online
The discovery quickly spread across Reddit, Steam forums, and gaming discussion channels, where reactions were mixed.
Some players argued that DRM protection is a reasonable step for developers trying to protect their game during its launch window. Others, however, expressed frustration that the feature appeared to have been added quietly rather than openly communicated ahead of time.
For many PC players, transparency around DRM implementation has become an increasingly important issue, particularly when performance-heavy games are involved.
A Massive RPG With Huge Expectations
Despite the controversy, anticipation for Crimson Desert remains extremely high. The game promises an enormous fantasy world filled with large-scale combat, narrative choices, and cinematic story moments that could make it one of the biggest RPG releases of 2026.
The project has been in development for several years, and many fans view it as the spiritual successor to Black Desert Online, the studio’s massively successful MMO.
With the release date just days away, many players are now waiting to see whether the developer will address the concerns — or whether the controversy will fade once the game launches.
What Happens Next
Historically, some studios have removed DRM software like Denuvo after the initial launch window once piracy risks decrease. Whether Crimson Desert will follow a similar path remains unclear.
For now, the debate highlights a recurring tension within the gaming industry: the balance between protecting intellectual property and maintaining trust with the PC gaming community.
And with the launch only days away, the success of Crimson Desert may ultimately depend on whether the game itself lives up to the enormous expectations surrounding it.