- Fights, friendships, passions and pugs: At Black Desert's 10th anniversary event, we asked players about why they're still obsessed with the MMO - 25 July 2024
Beynac-et-Cazenac is a medieval village wrapped around a limestone cliff in the southeast of France's Dordogne valley. Perched atop the cliff-face is the Château de Beynac, an imposing fortress built by the barons of Beynac in the 12th Century, featured in films like Ridley Scott's The Last Duel. Beneath the castle, the surrounding village hugs the hillside tightly, its narrow buildings connected by twisting streets so steep they threaten to tip you into the river three hundred metres below... Read more.
- Black Desert Online is introducing a mammoth-size 'War of the Roses' PvP mode for duking it out with 599 of your closest friends - 14 July 2024
Reading about Black Desert's new game mode, War of the Roses , it feels like the next evolution of World of Warcraft's legendary Alterac Valley , a massive battle, 40 players to a side. Despite some issues with faction balance and toxic turtling, it remains a beloved fixture of early WoW PvP. With War of the Roses, it seems as if developer Pearl Abyss has asked themselves "what if we did Alterac Valley, but made it even bigger "?.. Read more.
- As Black Desert Online celebrates its tenth anniversary, Pearl Abyss reveals the future of its MMO lies thousands of years in the past - 26 June 2024
History is clearly on the mind of Black Desert developer Pearl Abyss, which given the game is celebrating its 10th anniversary in an 800 year-old French castle, isn't that surprising. Nonetheless, as Pearl Abyss reels off a list of planned new features for its MMO, I'm struck by how much Black Desert's future dwells upon ideas of the past. Not only is the game currently wrapping up an expansion heavily inspired by Korean traditions and folklore, its more distant plans will see players explore the history of Black Desert itself, by travelling back in time thousands of years... Read more.
- Black Desert celebrates its 10th anniversary with a brand-new class: a pipe-smoking swordsman who can summon an army of ghost archers - 24 June 2024
Black Desert celebrated its 10th anniversary this weekend, announcing a raft of new features and detailing long-term plans for the Korean MMO at its annual Heidel Ball event. Held this year in the French castle town of Beynac-et-Cazenac, the event culminated in the reveal of the game's 28th class: Dosa, a pipe-smoking swordsman with a mysterious past and a deeply unusual fighting style... Read more.
- Black Desert asks the question: What if we made an MMO expansion and didn't invite any monsters? - 6 June 2023
Black Desert Online has been around since 2014, and has been enchanting players with its limitless progression, fighting-game style combat, and gigantic roster of playable classes. There's no level limit—once you hit the 'soft cap' of 62, experience gain slows to a crawl, but it's still there. In the last decade the studio has released updates that focus on PvP, PvE, and PvT... Read more.
- South Korean MMO shuts down Halloween event following Seoul tragedy - 31 October 2022
s reported by Massively Overpowered , Korean developer Pearl Abyss will end Black Desert Online's in-game Halloween event early following the trampling deaths of 154 people at a Halloween gathering in Seoul... Read more.
- Korean MMO Black Desert is free to keep for a limited time - 8 April 2022
Black Desert (formerly Black Desert Online) is a sandbox MMO first released in the west in 2016. As a Korean MMO, it's got an in-depth character creator, better-than-average combat, and a reputation for extreme grindiness. While it's free-to-play in Korea and a couple of other countries, on Steam it would normally set you back $10. To celebrate the release of its Eternal Winter expansion, Black Desert is available for free until April 13... Read more.
- Black Desert Online's 2020 roadmap includes new classes and playable music - 20 January 2020
The first half of Black Desert Online's 2020 roadmap was revealed earlier this week, giving players a sneak peek into what developer Pearl Abyss has planned all the way through to summer, including a new feature where players can compose music and play it on instruments—which definitely won't result in towns becoming overwhelmed with would-be bards thrashing out Sandstorm on a lute. You can look at the Black Desert Online 2020 roadmap here , but you won't have to wait long for one of its most exciting additions. Coming on January 22, The Guardian will join the roster of available classes. This northern warrior wields a massive battle axe that she uses to cleave through groups of baddies and plays similarly to her male counterpart, the Berserker, which is to say they both excel at charging into the thick of it. In addition to The Guardian, several classes will get n…
- Black Desert Online's 50-player battle royale mode starts today - 16 January 2019
Black Desert Online is a sandbox MMO with a very detailed character creator and surprisingly brilliant trade system. As of today, it is also the latest victim of the ‘everything must have a battle royale mode’ craze. The new Shadow Arena mode is still in development, but you can try out an early access version in-game today. Check out the trailer above.  50 players will be flung into an arena where they have to gather supplies and survive until they’re the last person standing. Each player begins as a spirit, but then they can possess one of the MMO’s classes. For now, the Warrior, Sorceress, Berserker, Tamer, Valkyrie, Wizard, Witch, Dark Knight and Mystic are available.  Every player, including trial members, will get to take it for a spin, though there’s limited capacity and it won’t be running all the time. Expect schedule announce…
- You can get Black Desert Online for free, but only if you can reach level 56 in one week - 3 October 2018
Black Desert Online is a "buy-to-play" MMO with purchase options ranging from $10 to $50, and a free 7-day trial for people who are curious but not convinced. Starting today and running until October 17, Pearl Abyss and Kakao Games are presenting an interesting challenge to trial players that, if successfully completed, will grant them permanent access to the game, for free.  Any players who can take a character to level 56 and complete the "awakening quest" before the 7-day trial expires will be given a free Starter's Package, which normally sell for $10/£8/€10. It doesn't include any "extra content," like a horse, Elion's Blessings, or House Furnishing Coupons, but it does provide permanent access to the game on either North American and European servers.    I have no idea how much effort it takes to reach level 56 in Black Desert Online, but…
- Black Desert Online's new expansion Drieghan arrives in November - 25 September 2018
Black Desert Online developers Pearl Abyss and Kakao Games, have announced that their Korean MMO is getting a new expansion entitled 'Drieghan,' arriving on November 14. Also known as 'the land of dragons,' Drieghan is the ancestral home of the dwarves and players will be able to explore this new, mountainous area, including Duvencrune, the dwarven capital. The expansion will introduce new monster areas, including ‘Tshira Ruins,’ ‘Sherekhan's Grave’, and ‘Blood Wolf Town,' as well as over 300 new quests, new story content, and a new world boss, Garmoth, The Crimson Dragon.  The trailer doesn't give a lot away but we do get a look at a rather bleak town, a mucky-looking swamp, and some formidable mountain passes—as well as a glimpse at what seems to be Garmoth. Drieghan is set for release on November 14. Me…
- EVE Online studio CCP Games has been acquired by Pearl Abyss - 6 September 2018
EVE Online studio CCP Games has been acquired by Pearl Abyss, the Korean developer of the fantasy MMO Black Desert Online . Pearl Abyss said that CCP will continue to operate its existing studios in Reykjavik, London, and Shanghai independently while its "extensive development and publishing expertise" will be integrated into current and future Pearl Abyss projects.  "CCP is a seasoned publisher with over 15 years of digital distribution experience and know-how. They have done an incredible job of engaging and maintaining their playerbase, which we aim to learn from and hope to integrate natively into Pearl Abyss’ general practices across all our games," Pearl Abyss CEO Robin Jung said in a statement.  "I am confident CCP’s reputable IP and expertise in global publishing will help reaffirm our company’s dedication to developing and servicing the world …
- Black Desert Online is free to try this weekend - 26 January 2018
Black Desert Online is a game I'm always on the cusp of buying. I'm told its expansive crafting systems and combo-based combat is a joy—yet I always wind up wasting my time building monstrously ugly characters who'll never see the light of day in its uber-comprehensive standalone customisation suite . Perhaps I'll break tradition this weekend, given Pearl Abyss' quirky MMO is free to try on Steam .  And once its free trial expires—on Sunday at 1pm PT/9pm GMT—perhaps I'll even pick up BDO for half price, assuming I like my time with it. From now through Monday, January 29, you see, Black Desert Online boasts a 50 percent reduction.  I could spend the next paragraph waffling about what I think Black Desert Online is about, but it's almost certainly better for everyone if I defer to my colleague and MMO aficionado, Steven Me…
- Black Desert Online free Kamasylvia expansion release date set - 18 September 2017
Last week, Black Desert Online developer Pearl Abyss revealed its fantasy MMO has sold over 530,000 copies on Steam and has 7.65 million registered players. That number is likely to increase in the near future, as the first part of the game's free Kamasylvia expansion is due to launch on September 27.  In a lengthy list of patch notes also revealed last week, Pearl Abyss noted that four new servers boasting the server group name 'Kamasylvia' had been added, before saying: "You know what that means… Kamasylvia Part 1 coming real soon!" According to the Black Desert Online official Twitter feed , "real soon" is now next week. As reported by MMORPG.com , the first slice of Kamasylvia will bring with it new quests and background details on the Dark Knights and Rangers. A new location named the Old Wisdom Tree will also be added into the game—and while there…
- Black Desert Online has sold more than 530,000 copies on Steam, has 7.65 million registered users - 13 September 2017
If you've paid any attention to Steam's most popular games listing, you might have noticed Black Desert Online has, surprisingly, occupied a top spot for months now. Despite launching all the way back in May, the MMO continues to be a huge hit. Right now, its developer, Pearl Abyss, is seeking a listing on the Korean Stock Exchange. As a result, they've released some interesting details in a recent press conference that charts just how successful the MMO really is. According to Kyung In Jung, CEO of Pearl Abyss, Black Desert Online currently operates in 100 different countries across seven regions. Jung says that 7.65 million people have registered accounts to play the game (though keep in mind that doesn't indicate active users). As a result, Black Desrt has brought in a whopping ￦340 billion ($301 million USD) to date. That's impressive since, according…
- Black Desert Online to get 'Savage Rift' defence mode tomorrow - 29 August 2017
After landing on Steam back in May, Austin Wood thereafter described Black Desert Online as "not a great MMO" but a "great sandbox RPG". Against the multitude of interesting stories that continue to bleed from its grounds, I reckon that's fair but, in a bid to win players round, Kakao Games and PearlAbyss have now announced 'Savage Rift'—a wave-based defence mode that's heading to the role-player tomorrow, August 30.  Those interested are encouraged to "stand back to back" with comrades in order to protect the Sealed Tower from hostile enemy forces. Doing so will look something like this: Banding together in groups of eight to ten, players can expect to be under the cosh for 25 rounds, with the final challenging pitting them against a "powerful field boss". Valuable loot and boss armour awaits successful battlers, but know that you'll be required to…
- Black Desert Online cools off with the Terrmian Waterpark event - 14 July 2017
It’s warm and sunny—not here, of course, because I live in Scotland—so that means it’s time to strip off and hit the nearest beach or waterpark. If that sounds like a nightmare, you could always just stay inside and experience the joys of a digital waterpark during Black Desert Online ’s summer event.  Black Desert Online sort of looks like your typical MMO, full of quests and monsters, but it’s really a brilliant sandbox where you can embark on the life of a travelling merchant or take to the high seas to corner the fish market. That’s hard work, mind, so you need a place to go on holiday, and that’s where the Terrmian Waterpark comes in.  The event kicked off this week and lets players complete quests, challenges and mini-games—including giant clam hunting and a diving competition—in an effort to earn coin…
