Crimson Desert is the long-awaited successor to Black Desert Online, and if you played the first one, it’s only natural that you want to know if Crimson Desert is a sequel, a prequel, or something else entirely.
Black Desert Online was an immediate hit, selling several hundred thousand copies. Now, in 2026, millions of players have registered, and the MMO has grossed billions. There’s a lot of love for Black Desert Online, which is why its direct connections to Crimson Desert are fascinating for both old and new players.
Is Crimson Desert A Prequel To Black Desert Online?
No, despite being initially conceived as a prequel to Black Desert Online, Crimson Desert has dropped any notion of this idea.
There’s your first big question about this story answered: Crimson Desert is not a prequel. Pearl Abyss has mentioned in interviews that the goal was to have Crimson Desert be another MMO, serving as a precursor to Black Desert Online.
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Abyss’ vision and scope for the project quickly expanded, which is why Crimson Desert is not a prequel.
Is Crimson Desert A Sequel To Black Desert Online?
Crimson Desert is also not a direct sequel to Black Desert Online, and it’s closer to a spiritual successor than having any direct ties to the original game.
There are many key differences between Crimson Desert and Black Desert Online—including its single-player and multiplayer focus—but the world itself is another big one.
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Crimson Desert is set in Pywel, whereas Black Desert Online was separated into several key and distinct regions. Aside from the setting being new, there are also new characters and a fresh narrative—underlining that while the game remains grounded in the same universe, this is a whole new game, and isn’t a sequel or prequel!
The main positive about this creative decision is that if you haven’t played Black Desert Online, you won’t need to play catch-up and can jump right in.
But if you have played Black Desert Online at any point, share your thoughts on the game and what you’re hoping for in Crimson Desert. You can do so via the usual place: The Insider Gaming Discord.
If you’re worried about delays or anything similar, you should be reassured by the news that Crimson Desert went Gold two months before release.
