Crimson Desert rolls out fresh game update weeks before banned DLC drop

Pearl Abyss has released the latest patch for Crimson Desert, with Version 2.03.00 arriving ahead of the launch of the Charting The Unknown DLC expansion.

Charting The Unknown is coming on October 15 and marks Crimson Desert’s first paid expansion.

It’ll include underwater exploration, a new questline, and new enemies for Kliff, Oongka, and Damiane to face, as well as introduce romance options into the game.

Pearl Abyss

Pre-orders are already underway, yet some had to be cancelled after it recently came to light that Crimson Desert’s DLC would be banned in certain regions.

“Following a review of content and age rating requirements, Crimson Desert: Charting the Unknown will not be available in certain markets/regions,” Pearl Abyss noted.

“Pre-orders for these regions will be closed. Depending on the platform, refunds may be processed automatically, or a refund request may need to be submitted through that platform’s standard refund process.”

Charting The Unknown will no longer launch in the United Arab Emirates

While a full list of affected regions was not provided, users in the United Arab Emirates noted their pre-orders as having been cancelled.

The UAE has been known to ban titles that contain explicit sexual content, graphic violence, simulated gambling, or same-sex relationships.

It’s thought that the DLC’s new romance options may have violated one or several of these guidelines.

The base game, however, remains available worldwide - and you can now enjoy Version 2.03.00.

It’s officially rolled out on all platforms except, correct at the time of writing, on the Mac App Store where the rollout is “in progress”.

While the patch mainly focuses on bug fixes and stability improvements, players will now get “1,000 or more silver” awarded as stackable silver pouches if a new game is started from existing save data.

A “precise movement” option has also been added to the game’s Photo Mode that allows for finer camera control.

That’s about it for all that’s new, but you can find the full patch notes below to see each bug fix and improvement.

READ MORE: Crimson Desert is playable for free from your PC browser, no download required

Crimson Desert Version 2.03.00 Update Patch Notes

Content

• Improved the game so that when starting a new game from an existing save data, 1,000 or more silver is now awarded as stackable silver pouches.
• Added a "Precise Movement" feature to Photo Mode, that allows finer camera control.
• Fixed an issue where the opponent's horse would move too quickly during horse races.
• Fixed an issue where certain missions that required a waiting period could be progressed immediately.
• Fixed an issue where combat missions would be canceled upon saving and loading after being dispatched.
• Improved the 'Lumberjacks' Witness Report' poster to continuously spawn if it has not been read.
• Fixed an issue where the guide NPC would spawn in an incorrect location when retrying the 'Shadowed Secrets' quest.

Controls

• Fixed an issue where QTE behaviour would differ depending on the key/button pressed after being grabbed by a bear.
• Adjusted the input key/button for Skill Details in the Stables and Pet Management menus.
• Fixed an issue where the character could not be controlled during the 'Investigate the mysterious voice' quest.
• Fixed an issue where the player would freeze when using certain items while on a mount.

Combat / Action

• Improved Water Stride to allow jumping.
• Improved Water Stride to allow sliding when equipping Vaporwalker.
• Fixed an issue where enemies knocked back during combat would not fall off cliffs in certain situations.
• Fixed an issue where excessive fall damage would be taken when dismounting from A.T.A.G. while midair.

UI

• Fixed an issue where certain UI text jittered while scrolling.
• Fixed an issue where some UI text would appear abnormally.

Graphics / Settings

• Updated the NVIDIA Streamline SDK to 2.14.1, applying the latest transformer model to DLSS Ray Reconstruction.

Localisation

• Fixed various localisation errors and improved localisation quality across all languages.

Others

• Fixed an issue where visual noise on armour was particularly noticeable indoors.
• Fixed an issue where horses appeared unnatural after equipping certain bardings.