Black Desert
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Black Desert
검은사막
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 i
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10th Anniversary
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| Developer | Pearl Abyss |
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| Publisher | Pearl Abyss (worldwide, 2021–present)[1]
Previously Kakao Games (KR/NA/EU), GameOn (JP), RedFox Games (SA) |
| Genre | MMORPG, fantasy action RPG
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| Platforms | Windows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, iOS, Android |
| First release | July 14, 2015 (Korea, PC) |
| Mode | Multiplayer |
Black Desert (Korean: 검은사막) is a fantasy MMORPG franchise developed by the South Korean studio Pearl Abyss. The name covers two distinct games: Black Desert Online, the original PC title later adapted for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, and Black Desert Mobile, a separate game built for iOS and Android. Both are set in the same world, centered on the conflict between the Republic of Calpheon and the Kingdom of Valencia over the black stones found in the Great Valencian Desert (better known as Black Desert) that gives the franchise its name.
The franchise first launched in Korea on July 14, 2015 and has since been released in over 150 countries. Since February 2021, Pearl Abyss has self-published the entire franchise on all platforms.[1]
1 Games✎
1.1 Black Desert Online✎
The original PC game, launched in Korea in 2015 and in North America and Europe on March 3, 2016. It is known for its seamless open world, action combat, extensive character creator, and life-skill economy. The console adaptation launched on Xbox One on March 4, 2019 and on PlayStation 4 on August 22, 2019.
Full article: Black Desert Online
1.2 Black Desert Mobile✎
A standalone mobile adaptation rather than a port, rebuilt for touch controls with its own progression systems. It launched first in Korea in February 2018, in Taiwan in August 2018, and worldwide in December 2019. Unlike the buy-to-play PC version, Black Desert Mobile is free-to-play and has been self-published by Pearl Abyss from the start.
2 Release history✎
| Region | PC | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Korea | July 2015 | February 2018 |
| Russia | October 2015 | December 2019 |
| Japan | 2015 | December 2019 |
| North America / Europe | March 2016 | December 2019 |
| Taiwan | January 2017 | August 2018 |
| South America | July 2017 | December 2019 |
| Middle East / North Africa | December 2017 | December 2019 |
| Southeast Asia | January 2018 | December 2019 |
3 Publishing✎
For its first five years in the West, Black Desert Online was published by Kakao Games in Korea, North America, and Europe, with GameOn handling Japan, RedFox Games handling South America, and Pearl Abyss self-publishing in Taiwan, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and — after GameNet's contract expired in October 2018 — Russia.
In December 2020, Pearl Abyss announced it would not renew its contract with Kakao Games and would consolidate development and publishing under one roof. The handover took effect on February 24, 2021, requiring Western PC players to transfer their accounts from Kakao's service to Pearl Abyss's.[2] With the transfer complete, Pearl Abyss controls publishing rights for the entire franchise on all platforms. The move mirrored the studio's plan to self-publish its future titles, including Crimson Desert.
4 Soundtrack✎
The game's score has been released as regional albums named after the world's territories: I. Balenos, II. Serendia, and III. Calpheon.
5 See also✎
6 Further reading✎
- Pearl Abyss press release, "Pearl Abyss to Begin Self-Publishing Black Desert Online," January 27, 2021.
- Massively Overpowered, "Kakao Games bids a fond farewell to fans as Black Desert publishing officially changes hands to Pearl Abyss," February 24, 2021.