Crimson Desert Public Demo at East 2025

Pearl Abyss is bringing the heat to Boston this spring with Crimson Desert’s first-ever public hands-on demo in North America, exclusively at PAX East 2025. The highly anticipated open-world action-adventure title will be showcased from Thursday, May 8th through Sunday, May 11th at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, and fans can find it front and center at Booth 16019 in the Expo Hall.

For many, this will be the first chance to step into the brutal, immersive world of Crimson Desert, which is currently slated for a late 2025 release across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Mac. Developed by the creators of Black Desert, Pearl Abyss is promising a richly detailed world filled with visceral combat, sweeping landscapes, and an epic narrative centered around a mercenary named Kliff.

The booth will offer attendees a fully playable demo, letting players experience the intense combat mechanics and open-world gameplay firsthand. This is a major moment not just for Pearl Abyss, but for fans hungry to get a feel for what might be one of the biggest action RPGs of the year.

Visitors to the booth can expect more than just gameplay. Pearl Abyss is going all-in on the experience with a variety of on-site attractions, including:

• Exclusive PAX Swag – Limited-edition merch including PAX-exclusive pins and lanyards will be up for grabs.

• ‘Take Your Throne’ Photo Opportunity – Step into the shoes of a ruler with this immersive photo op.

• ‘Become Kliff’ War Paint Station – Get your game face on—literally—and embrace the warrior spirit.

And of course, the opportunity to “take up sword and shield” and fight your way through the world of Crimson Desert.

This activation is part of Pearl Abyss’s push to introduce Crimson Desert to the North American market in a big way. “We want players to feel the weight of every strike, every decision, every moment,” a representative from Pearl Abyss stated. “And what better place than PAX East to bring that experience directly to the fans?”

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Pearl Abyss’s work or new to their universe, this is a can't-miss event for anyone attending PAX East 2025. Doors open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM EST, and if the buzz around Crimson Desert is any indication, Booth 16019 is going to be a popular destination.