Pearl Abyss is aiming to redefine the scale of open-world RPGs with its upcoming fantasy epic Crimson Desert. Crimson Desert’s Open World Is At Least Twice the Size of Skyrim, Bigger Than Red Dead Redemption 2. According to new developer insights, the game will feature an open world that is at least twice the size of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and even larger than Red Dead Redemption 2, putting it among the biggest playable maps ever created in a video game.
The claim instantly positions Crimson Desert as one of the most ambitious open-world projects of the current generation.
A Truly Massive Fantasy World
Skyrim and Red Dead Redemption 2 are two of the most famous large-scale open-world games in history. Skyrim’s vast mountains and cities defined open-world RPGs for over a decade, while Red Dead Redemption 2 set a new benchmark for environmental detail and immersion.
For Crimson Desert to surpass both is a bold statement. The world is said to be not only huge, but also filled with:
- Multiple continents and regions
- Dynamic weather and environments
- Diverse biomes
- Large-scale battles and encounters
Rather than simply being empty space, Pearl Abyss is aiming for a world that feels alive at every corner.
Built on Pearl Abyss’ Next-Gen Engine
The enormous scale of Crimson Desert is powered by Pearl Abyss’ proprietary BlackSpace Engine, which allows for:
- Long-distance view rendering
- Seamless world streaming
- Massive draw distances
- Detailed environmental physics
This technology enables players to see towering mountains, distant castles, and massive armies on the horizon without loading screens breaking immersion.
Why Bigger Actually Matters Here
Open-world size alone doesn’t guarantee a great experience — but in Crimson Desert’s case, the scale is designed to support its core gameplay.
The game features:
- Real-time large-scale battles
- Mounted combat and exploration
- Airborne traversal and gliding
- Story-driven exploration across nations
A massive map allows players to truly feel like they are part of a living continent at war, not just a hero moving between isolated zones.
Bigger Than Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 is often cited as one of the most detailed open worlds ever made. Its map includes deserts, mountains, swamps, towns, wildlife ecosystems, and deep environmental storytelling.
For Crimson Desert to go beyond that scale suggests:
- More terrain variety
- Longer travel distances
- Larger factions and empires
- A stronger sense of geopolitical conflict
Pearl Abyss appears to be building not just a world, but an entire fantasy continent.
A Different Kind of Open-World RPG
Unlike many fantasy RPGs that rely heavily on towns and dungeons, Crimson Desert focuses heavily on:
- Real-time physics-based combat
- Environmental interaction
- Large army clashes
- Player-driven exploration
This makes the size of the map especially important, as it supports epic battles and emergent gameplay rather than simply housing quests.
A New Benchmark for Next-Gen RPGs
If Pearl Abyss delivers on its promise, Crimson Desert could set a new benchmark for:
- Map scale
- Environmental realism
- Seamless open-world traversal
- Fantasy world simulation
With modern hardware allowing for faster streaming and more memory, Crimson Desert is positioned to do things that weren’t technically possible during Skyrim’s era.
What This Means for Players
For players, this means:
- Dozens (or hundreds) of hours of exploration
- A true sense of journey and scale
- The ability to get lost in a world
- Battles that feel genuinely epic
It also means Crimson Desert won’t just be a typical open-world RPG — it aims to be a continent-sized adventure.
Final Thoughts
By promising an open world twice the size of Skyrim and larger than Red Dead Redemption 2, Crimson Desert is boldly stepping into uncharted territory. If Pearl Abyss succeeds, it could redefine what players expect from large-scale RPGs in the next generation.
Whether you’re drawn by epic battles, massive landscapes, or deep fantasy storytelling, Crimson Desert is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious open-world games ever created.