DokeV May Need Years Despite Crimson Desert Boom
DokeV Is Still In Pre-Production
Pearl Abyss has shared a new update on DokeV, and fans may need to stay patient.
In its latest Q1 2026 financial results, the company confirmed that DokeV remains in the pre-production stage. The studio also said it is now prioritizing resources for the project.
This update comes after the strong launch of Crimson Desert, which became an important test for Pearl Abyss in the premium offline game market.
Crimson Desert surpassed 5 million copies sold worldwide, marking a major milestone for the company.
Because of that success, many players expected DokeV to become the studio’s next major focus. That still appears true, but the game may remain far from release.
Pearl Abyss Wants A New Game Every 2 To 3 Years
Pearl Abyss also shared its broader release goal.
The company aims to release a new title every 2 to 3 years. This suggests that DokeV could arrive as early as 2028, if development moves smoothly.
However, the current pre-production status makes that timeline feel ambitious.
Pre-production usually means the team is still working on the game’s foundation. This can include design planning, systems, content direction, pipelines, art targets, and technical preparation.
That does not mean the project is in trouble. But it does mean players should not expect a near-term launch.
For fans who have followed DokeV since its early reveal, this update may feel bittersweet.
Resources Are Now Moving Toward DokeV
The good news is that Pearl Abyss is not abandoning the project.
Reports say the studio is shifting more attention and development resources toward DokeV after Crimson Desert.
That matters because DokeV has been quiet for years. The game was originally announced alongside Crimson Desert and PLAN 8 in 2019.
Since then, fans have waited for more concrete updates.
The latest report confirms that the game still exists. It also suggests that Pearl Abyss sees it as the next major project after Crimson Desert.
PLAN 8 Is Even Earlier In Development
DokeV is not the only long-awaited project from Pearl Abyss.
The company also confirmed that PLAN 8 remains in development. However, that project is currently in the conceptualization stage.
That means PLAN 8 may be even further away than DokeV.
For now, the development priority appears clear. DokeV sits ahead of PLAN 8, while Crimson Desert continues receiving support after launch.
This gives players a clearer picture of the studio’s internal roadmap.
Crimson Desert Success Changes The Picture
The timing of this update is important.
Crimson Desert has become a major commercial win for Pearl Abyss. The game pushed the company to record Q1 2026 results, with revenue rising sharply after launch.
The title also generated 266.5 billion won in revenue during the first quarter, according to Korean financial reports.
This success gives Pearl Abyss more room to support its next projects.
It also raises expectations. Players now know the studio can deliver a large-scale premium game, so many will expect DokeV to match or exceed that ambition.
That pressure may explain why the studio continues to take its time.
Possible Crimson Desert DLC May Also Be Considered
Pearl Abyss is also still supporting its current live projects.
Reports note that the company is exploring possible Crimson Desert DLC, although there are no concrete plans yet.
This could affect development pacing.
If Crimson Desert continues receiving major post-launch content, some studio resources may stay attached to that project. At the same time, the company says it is concentrating significant resources on DokeV to accelerate development.
Balancing both could become one of Pearl Abyss’ biggest challenges.
About DokeV
DokeV is planned for PC and consoles in the future.
The game is an open-world action-adventure with creature-collecting elements. It takes place in a bright world where humans and adorable Dokebi live together.
Dokebi are inspired by Korean folklore. This gives the game a cultural identity that differs from many other monster-collecting titles.
The game first drew attention because of its colorful visuals, energetic tone, and playful world design.
Its earlier footage showed dancing, skating, vehicles, exploration, and creature collecting. That style helped DokeV stand out immediately.
For Southeast Asia (SEA) players, the game could become a fresh alternative to other open-world creature-collecting adventures.
The Wait Continues
DokeV is still alive, but it is not close.
The current pre-production status means fans should keep expectations realistic. Even with more resources moving toward the game, full development may still take years.
Still, this update is better than silence.
Pearl Abyss has confirmed that DokeV remains in development, resources are being prioritized, and the studio wants to keep a regular release rhythm for new titles.
Now, fans will need to watch whether the studio can turn that plan into a real 2028 launch window.
DokeV staying in pre-production is painful news for fans, but at least the project is still breathing. After Crimson Desert proved Pearl Abyss can deliver a huge premium hit, expectations for this cheerful Dokebi adventure just got heavier. The wait may be long, but if DokeV returns with the same energy as its old trailer, the hype could wake up fast.
