Pearl Abyss, the company behind the much-anticipated game Crimson Desert, has faced a significant drop in its stock price, sinking nearly 30%. This decline appears to be linked to the game’s early review scores, which were released yesterday, March 18. Currently, on Metacritic, Crimson Desert holds a score of 78 based on feedback from 85 critics. However, this score is likely to change as more reviews come in.
IGN gave the PC version a preliminary score of 6 out of 10. Investor sentiment seems to have shifted, with Dr. Serkan Toto, a consultant in the gaming industry, noting that the game’s reception was “apparently not good enough for investors.”
Market experts had anticipated a higher score, somewhere in the mid to high 80s. According to Seoul Economic Daily, this disappointing score has contributed to the stock market reaction. Pearl Abyss reportedly spent about 200 billion won (approximately $133 million) and seven years developing Crimson Desert.
Despite these setbacks, some analysts believe Crimson Desert could perform well in the market. Rhys Elliott, head of market analysis at Alinea Analytics, shared that the game was nearing 400,000 pre-sales on Steam, translating to over $20 million in revenue. This early success positions Crimson Desert well compared to similar titles during their launches. It has already outperformed games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance II and Expedition 33.
In the U.S. PlayStation sales chart, Crimson Desert is currently No. 4, trailing behind popular titles like MLB The Show 26 and Fortnite. This is impressive for a brand that is relatively new to American gamers.
As release time approaches, players should prepare for an internet connection to set up the game, which will include a day one patch. After installation, gamers can then enjoy Crimson Desert offline.
The game’s mixed reception highlights how quickly public perception can affect a company’s stock, showcasing the volatile link between gaming, reviews, and investor confidence. Stay tuned; will public interest hold strong despite the initial critiques? Only time will tell.
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