Crimson Desert arrived with a lot of ambition and a $70 price tag. If you were hoping to test it through a subscription instead of handing over cash, here is the current situation in plain terms.
Is Crimson Desert on Game Pass?
No. Crimson Desert is not on Game Pass at launch. You can buy and play it on Xbox consoles, PC, and PlayStation 5, but the game is not included in Microsoft's subscription service right now.
Could it join Game Pass later?
Possibly. Pearl Abyss put its MMORPG Black Desert on Game Pass between 2020 and 2023. That version appeared about 18 months after Black Desert launched on Xbox. If Pearl Abyss follows a similar timeline, Crimson Desert might arrive on Game Pass a couple of years after launch. That would put a potential arrival around 2027, but there are no official announcements or confirmed plans.
Should you buy it now or wait?
That depends on how impatient you are and how much you trust reviews. Early coverage noted the game is large and delivers a lot of content, but it can be slow to get going. If you like sprawling single-player worlds and do not mind spending the full price, it can be worth it. If you prefer not to risk $70, waiting for a possible Game Pass addition is a reasonable option, though it may take years.
One more tip: watch for Twitch Drops for Crimson Desert. If rewards are available, watching streams can earn in-game items that will be saved to your account when you play, even if you wait for the game to appear on Game Pass.
Quick summary
- Status: Not on Game Pass at launch.
- Platforms: Xbox, PC, PlayStation 5.
- Possible Game Pass arrival: Unconfirmed. Could follow Pearl Abyss' past pattern, which would mean a multi-year wait.
- Buying advice: Large open world and substantial content, but slow start reported by some reviewers. Consider reviews and your tolerance for paying full price.
If you want to try without buying, keep an eye on promotions, Twitch Drops, and any future Game Pass announcements.
