Get ready to be blown away: Crimson Desert’s open world isn’t just big—it’s at least twice the size of Skyrim’s entire playable area and even larger than the sprawling map of Red Dead Redemption 2. But here’s where it gets controversial: does size really matter if the world feels empty? Let’s dive in.
Crimson Desert, the upcoming open-world action-adventure game set on the continent of Pywel, is shaping up to be a colossal experience. In a recent interview on the Gaming Interviews YouTube channel, Will Powers from developer Pearl Abyss dropped some jaw-dropping details. When asked about the game’s scale, Powers admitted that numbers alone can’t capture its true grandeur. “How big is that in terms of scope and scale?” he asked rhetorically. “But what we can say is that it’s at least twice as big as Skyrim’s open world and larger than Red Dead Redemption 2’s map.”
But here’s the twist: Powers insists that size isn’t the defining factor. Instead, it’s what you do in that massive world that counts. “Pywel is absolutely massive, but size doesn’t matter if there’s nothing to do,” he explained. “Open-world games thrive on activities, distractions, and interactivity. We didn’t just want a big world—we wanted one that’s incredibly engaging.”
And this is the part most people miss: Crimson Desert introduces unique mechanics that set it apart from its predecessors. Unlike Skyrim or Red Dead Redemption 2, players can soar through the skies on a dragon, making navigation across the vast world both fast and thrilling. Plus, while the game doesn’t focus on traditional RPG decision-making, it encourages role-playing through “head canon”—players shape their own stories based on the sheer variety of quests and experiences available.
“You choose the type of character you want to play within the game’s systems,” Powers clarified. “But through head canon, your experience becomes radically different from others. You might get sidetracked by a quest, stumble upon a hidden area, or have an entirely unique adventure—all within the same canonical storyline.”
Here’s a bold question for you: Does a game’s size matter more than its interactivity? Or is it the balance between the two that truly defines greatness? Let us know in the comments.
What’s even more mind-boggling? The previews shown to the media only reveal “a tiny corner of the map,” according to Powers. With so much left to explore, Crimson Desert is shaping up to be a game-changer. Mark your calendars—it’s set to launch on March 19, 2026.
Wesley Yin-Poole is Director, News at IGN. Follow him on Twitter at @wyp100 or reach out at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com. For confidential inquiries, email wyp100@proton.me.
