Following the Crimson Desert launch, Pearl Abyss is focusing its resources on the collectible MMORPG "DokeV," while the shooter "PLAN 8" remains in the concept phase for now. Players should expect a long wait, as a release before 2028 seems unrealistic.
The long road to market readiness
"dokev“ is currently officially in pre-production. This ends the radio silence surrounding the project, which caused a massive stir in 2021 with its vibrant gameplay trailer. Pearl Abyss is now pursuing a strategy of releasing a major title every two to three years. Since “Crimson Desert” marks the current cycle, “DokeV” is moving into focus as the next big goal. Development is now being accelerated.
Pre-production, in plain terms, means the basic framework is in place, but full production has only just begun. The fact that the developer is hinting at 2028 as the earliest possible release date for the next title dampens expectations for an imminent beta phase. It's a necessary step towards realization. The game's ambitions—a vast open world with hundreds of collectible creatures—require time, which the studio now apparently intends to take after the delays of Crimson Desert.
PLAN 8 remains on hold
For fans of “PLAN 8“The news is less encouraging. The exosuit shooter is still in the concept phase. This means that little exists beyond mere ideas and early design documents. Pearl Abyss is clearly prioritizing DokeV. The studio cannot work on two mammoth projects simultaneously at full capacity. PLAN 8 is therefore a project for the end of the decade.”
Pearl Abyss is clearing things up. After years of uncertainty, there's now a roadmap, which, while painfully long, provides transparency. Focusing on "DokeV" makes sense, as the franchise has already generated enormous interest within the community through the trailers released so far. The studio now needs to prove that the technical vision presented in the trailers also works within a stable MMO framework.
Confirmation that the games still exist is good. However, the news that they're only in "pre-production" five years after their announcement is a harsh reality check. The hype needs to stay on ice.
