{"id":473414,"date":"2026-03-13T12:49:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T12:49:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/473414\/"},"modified":"2026-03-13T12:49:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T12:49:11","slug":"crimson-desert-ps5-concern-as-physical-copies-wont-run-without-download","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/473414\/","title":{"rendered":"Crimson Desert PS5 Concern as Physical Copies Won’t Run without Download"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Crimson<\/a> Image: Push Square<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re planning to go physical with upcoming RPG Crimson Desert<\/a>, then keep in mind you\u2019ll need to connect to the Internet to fully install the game.<\/p>\n

With wild copies beginning to circulate ahead of the release\u2019s PS5 launch, we can now confirm that the game won\u2019t run off its Blu-ray disc. You\u2019ll need to connect to the Internet and download the game\u2019s day one patch to play.<\/p>\n

It seems the reason for this is quite simple: the full game is not on the disc.<\/p>\n

A word of caution: Crimson Desert’s physical release seems to be screwed. There is a video that shows you can’t start until you update. Makes you wonder why we also saw a message from a PLAION BENELUX rep claiming there is a fully playable build on disc.https:\/\/t.co\/jtE5DMVj2j<\/a>\u2014 Does it play? (@DoesItPlay1) March 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

We\u2019re making an educated guess here, but images of the install process show about 76GB being copied across. We know from the specs<\/a> that the full game will occupy about 150GB on PC at least.<\/p>\n

So it\u2019s probably safe to assume, even with compression, the PS5 version will be roughly similar in size. And Pearl Abyss has opted not to ship two Blu-rays here.<\/p>\n

It seems from today\u2019s Digital Foundry report<\/a> that the day one patch will likely be meaty, as the game doesn\u2019t even support the PS5 Pro\u2019s new PSSR<\/a> upscaler yet \u2013 but it will at launch.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s worth noting that beyond that initial update, you will be able to play the game offline<\/a>, so no further handshakes with any servers will be required.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, this is bad news for purists and preservation fans, who like knowing their full library will forever be available on a disc.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re hesitant to compare this to the Game Key Card situation, because clearly you\u2019re getting almost a full game on your Blu-ray \u2013 but we suppose it doesn\u2019t really change the outcome if the software simply won\u2019t run without a download.<\/p>\n

[source crimsondesert.pearlabyss.com<\/a>, via x.com<\/a>]<\/p>\n

\tRelated Games<\/p>\n

\tSee Also<\/p>\n

\"Sammy<\/p>\n

As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He\u2019s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.<\/p>\n