Crimson Desert Studio Pearl Abyss Is Expanding AI Across Its Whole Pipeline
The AI is "strictly a tool." Players have some follow-up questions.
Crimson Desert developer Pearl Abyss says it's expanding its use of AI "throughout our entire development pipeline." The studio made the statement in its third-quarter earnings letter on November 12, PC Gamer reports. That's about nine months after players found AI art inside Crimson Desert itself.
What did Pearl Abyss say about AI?
The studio calls AI "strictly a tool," and it says AI helps the team test design ideas quickly before they build them. Pearl Abyss also uses it for repetitive tasks, content creation support and test optimization, according to Output Lag. The letter also says gameplay and content "remain fully driven by our development team," and Pearl Abyss says it doesn't see AI as a replacement for its developers.
The phrase "content creation support" is doing a lot of work there, though, and the letter doesn't define it. (We would love a definition.)
Why are Crimson Desert players wary of AI?
In February, players found AI art in Crimson Desert. Pearl Abyss said "some 2D visual props" were made with AI early in development. It promised to replace them, and it admitted it hadn't clearly told players about its AI use, PC Gamer notes, so any talk of more AI lands with fans who already feel a little burned.
When is DokeV coming out?
Pearl Abyss is still aiming for the second half of 2028. Output Lag reports that the studio plans a development update before the end of 2026, and that marketing and hands-on demos should start around the second half of 2027. The team also uses AI to test design ideas for DokeV, the colorful creature game that Pearl Abyss first showed in 2021.
How is Crimson Desert doing now?
Crimson Desert sold about 680,000 copies in the third quarter, according to Output Lag. Game revenue dropped about 70% from the previous quarter as the launch rush faded, which makes sense considering the game sold roughly 2.11 million copies in the second quarter, per Massively Overpowered. Its Charting the Unknown expansion reached eighth place on Steam on launch day. A Nintendo Switch 2 version is planned for the first half of 2027. More DLC isn't a priority, and multiplayer is still just being researched.
As an Amazon Associate, Church of Nerds earns from qualifying purchases. Buying through the Amazon links in this post supports the site at no extra cost to you.
My read is that Pearl Abyss wants it both ways. Calling AI "strictly a tool" sounds nice, but growing it across the "entire" pipeline right after the prop mess is a tough sell. The smart move is to clearly label anything made with AI help. Crimson Desert's world is too good to leave fans squinting at every painting on every wall.
Does AI in game development bother you? Tell us in the comments.
