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Crimson Desert release times and pre-loading

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Here's everything you need to know about pre-installing and when Crimson Desert releases

Kliff resting by a stream in a forest in Crimson Desert
(Image credit: Pearl Abyss)
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The Crimson Desert release time on March 19 is very soon, with pre-loading now being live too so you can get the colossal RPG loaded onto your system for launch. Pre-loading is available for PS5, Xbox Series X and PC, but you obviously need to have pre-ordered Crimson Desert first. Otherwise, it's just a matter of waiting for the release time on March 19 – or March 20 depending on where in the world you are. Here's when Crimson Desert launches in the US, UK, and more.

What time does Crimson Desert release?

Crimson Desert release and pre-load times map

(Image credit: Pearl Abyss)

Crimson Desert releases globally at 10PM UTC on March 19 on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store. That works out as the following release times for time zones around the world:

  • US Pacific: 3PM PDT on March 19
  • US Eastern: 6PM EDT on March 19
  • UK: 10PM GMT on March 19
  • Central Europe: 11PM CET on March 19
  • South Korea and Japan: 7AM KST/JST on March 20
  • Eastern Australia: 9AM AEDT on March 20
  • New Zealand: 11AM NZDT on March 20

A global simultaneous release for Crimson Desert means there are no chances to use things like the trusty New Zealand system clock change trick to try and play as early as possible, and you'll just have to be patient.

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How to pre-load Crimson Desert

Kliff fighting a Black Bear warrior in Crimson Desert

(Image credit: Pearl Abyss)

Crimson Desert pre-downloading is available right now on all platforms, letting you get the game ready ahead of launch day, but only if you've pre-ordered it. Check the platform storefront you pre-ordered from, such as the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, or Steam, and you should be able to begin installing from there – just make sure you've got plenty of storage space, with Steam recommending having 150GB free.

In the case of the PS5 and Xbox Series X, you may need to find Crimson Desert in your game library ('My Games and Apps' on Xbox) and begin installing from there instead. And remember that unlike Black Desert Online, Crimson Desert is not multiplayer, so you won't be able to play with your friends who might also be pre-loading Crimson Desert.

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Will Sawyer
Will Sawyer
Guides Editor, GamesRadar+

Will Sawyer is a Guides Editor at GamesRadar+ with over five years of experience in writing online guides, news, and features, and has a BA (Hons) in Journalism. Starting as a freelancer, Will contributed to startmenu and Game Rant before joining the GamesRadar+ team in August 2021. Since then, he has written hundreds of guides about a huge range of games, with shooters and action games being his areas of expertise. Outside of writing about games, Will hops between multiplayer shooters with friends, such as Darktide and Helldivers 2, and delves into whatever has been on his backlog for far too long. He also tries to get through his never-ending Warhammer pile of shame of grey Tyranids, Aeldari, and Chaos Space Marines.

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