Like it or loathe it, you can’t argue with the success of Crimson Desert. Per a new report, Pearl Abyss’ latest action-RPG has sold so well that the developer and publisher has reportedly given every employee a bonus that equates to about $3,400.
Per South Korean publication MTN, Pearl Abyss had awarded its staff with 5 million Won per head as a ‘special bonus’ to celebrate the massive success of the game both on its home shores and around the world. The game sold over 2 million copies in under 24 hours, and has already surpassed the milestone 5 million copies sold, less than a month after its launch.
Pearl Abyss CEO Heo Jin-young reportedly said in an internal statement: “I express my deep respect and gratitude for the hard work of each and every one of you who created a product that the world is enthusiastic about, and I am paying a celebratory bonus for achieving 5 million sales to all employees who have silently fulfilled their roles in their respective positions.
“Our journey does not end here. The potential we confirmed today will be the most powerful driving force to overcome any challenge we face in the future.”
The good news doesn’t stop there for Pearl Abyss employees. According to the MTN report, the staff at the studio can expect another bonus at the beginning of 2027, and this one will be based on 2026 financial performance. If the Crimson Desert sales keep accruing the way they have been for the past month, you can imagine what that next performance-based bonus may look like.
Crimson Desert has been something of a smash hit for the South Korean company so far. The game has been so successful that even the prime minister of South Korea has heaped praise on the title, stating that it represents “a new chapter in K-content” and that the game is a “crucial turning point” for the national games industry.
Despite a rocky launch, Pearl Abyss has been diligent in its approach to Crimson Desert, managing to push out multiple patches full of quality of life improvements, and adjustments to boss difficulty to keep players invested and address criticism levelled at the title at launch.
For all its power, though, the allure of Crimson Desert proved no match for the juggernaut that is Slay the Spire 2 in Steam’s best-selling charts for April.
