Update: Pearl Abyss has once again updated the FAQ post to clarify that Intel Arc GPU “compatibility and optimization support” is currently in the works.
“We are preparing to provide a smooth and stable gameplay experience, and we ask for your patience until the support update becomes available.” For now, it’s still unplayable on those systems.
“We apologize for any confusion our previous FAQ wording regarding playability on Intel Arc GPUs may have caused. Please regard this as our latest official news on the subject.” There’s currently no ETA on the update’s release date.
Original Story:
To say that Crimson Desert has many issues would be an understatement. Granted, Pearl Abyss has begun the long, arduous process of addressing several of them, but those who possessed Intel ARC GPUs were surprised to find that the open-world title wouldn’t even launch for them.
Not for any fault of the manufacturer, of course, who told WCCF Tech that it reached out to Pearl Abyss “many times” over “the past several years.” However, it seems that fans have won out with the developer updating its “Frequently Asked Questions” post to confirm that Crimson Desert is now playable on Intel ARC GPUs.
There is a caveat, though, as optimization is “still ongoing,” meaning “performance drops or stability issues may occur depending on the system environment.” Nevertheless, Pearl Abyss will “continue to improve compatibility and optimization through future updates,” living up to its commitment to quickly deploy improvements after selling more than two million units.
Of course, there are still issues such as the complex controls, especially on consoles, not to mention the UI and the surprising lack of permanent mounts (don’t even get me started on the dragon cooldown). How Pearl Abyss will address all of this remains to be seen, so stay tuned for updates.
Crimson Desert is available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. Check out our review, where we scored it an eight out of ten, for more details on what we liked (and hated) about the experience.
