Crimson desert developer addresses control complaints after launch

Pearl Abyss, the developer behind the ambitious open-world RPG Crimson Desert, has acknowledged widespread criticism surrounding the game's controls following its launch. The acknowledgement comes after players voiced concerns about clunky and unresponsive controls, impacting the game's initial reception.

Patch in the works for crimson desert controls

In an online statement released today, Pearl Abyss confirmed they are aware of the "discomfort" players are experiencing and are actively preparing a patch to address the issues. The company did not specify a release date or the exact nature of the fixes, but the statement was met with a mixture of relief and skepticism by the player base.

The complaints largely center around the lack of controller mapping and key binding options, a common request in modern action RPGs. This absence has led to accusations of a poorly optimized control scheme, especially for keyboard and mouse users.

The game, which launched on Steam with nearly 250,000 concurrent players, currently holds a "mixed" user review rating. This contrasts sharply with the initial hype surrounding its release. The news comes on the heels of a significant drop in Pearl Abyss's stock price, plummeting nearly 30% in reaction to early critic reviews, followed by another 9.78% yesterday. The company reportedly invested 200 billion won (approximately $133 million) over seven years in Crimson Desert's development.

While the control issues dominate the discussion, some players have also reported performance problems, particularly on the PS5, with visual artifacts being a recurring concern. Pearl Abyss has yet to address allegations regarding the possible use of AI-generated art within the game, a potential violation of Steam’s contentpolicy.

The company's statement expresses gratitude for player feedback and promises continued efforts to improve the game. However, the timing of the patch and the extent of the fixes remain unclear, leaving many players questioning whether the developers can course-correct fast enough to salvage the game’s reputation. The company’s response attempts to appease a frustrated community, but the damage to its early perception might be lasting.

Additional reporting by IGN.