Crimson Desert did so well that developer Pearl Abyss reported 94% increased labor expenses due to “performance bonus payments” made to 1,035 employees
South Korean developer Pearl Abyss has reported a sharp rise in labour costs after the strong performance of its open-world action RPG Crimson Desert, attributing the increase to performance bonus payments awarded to staff. The disclosure highlights how the game's commercial success has translated directly into significant payouts for the studio's workforce, underlining the scale of Crimson Desert's impact on the company's finances.
According to the report, Pearl Abyss's labour expenses rose by 94%, driven by bonus payments made to 1,035 employees. The figures point to a company-wide reward scheme tied to the title's performance, though the article does not detail the exact monetary value of the bonuses or provide further financial context beyond the reported percentage increase.
- Pearl Abyss's labour costs rose 94% after Crimson Desert's success.
- Bonus payments were made to 1,035 employees.
- Increase reflects performance-related rewards tied to the game.
New here? Start with this
Pearl Abyss is the South Korean studio behind Crimson Desert, an open-world action role-playing game that launched to strong sales and player numbers. The company is known for other online games, including Black Desert, and Crimson Desert has been one of its most anticipated releases in years, following a lengthy development period.
When a game performs well commercially, some studios pass a share of the extra profit on to staff through bonus payments, on top of regular salaries. Pearl Abyss has disclosed such payments in its financial reporting, which is why the company's overall labour costs have jumped noticeably compared with the previous period.
This matters because it offers a rare, concrete glimpse into how a single game's success can directly affect a company's finances and its treatment of employees, at a time when large bonuses in the games industry are often seen as unusual. It also gives outside observers, including investors and industry watchers, a way to gauge just how well Crimson Desert has actually performed.