Kinda Funny Games Daily: Video Games News Podcast

Is Crimson Desert Too Good To Be True?! - Kinda Funny Games Daily 01.30.26

Jan 30, 2026
Michael Haim, an IGN contributor and games journalist, joins to unpack Crimson Desert’s go‑gold optimization and whether its previews match reality. They debate the game’s hardware demands and console performance risks. Conversations also cover a rumored Nintendo Direct partner showcase and Google’s Project Genie AI world generation.
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INSIGHT

Technical Ambition And Native 4K60 Goal

  • Crimson Desert aims for native 4K60 with ray tracing using a proprietary engine rather than DLSS/FSR.
  • Pearl Abyss is deep in optimization to make that native presentation feasible across hardware.
INSIGHT

Ambition Often Becomes A Hardware Benchmark

  • Ambitious, system-heavy open worlds often become benchmark titles that expose hardware limits.
  • Michael Haim compares Crimson Desert to past 'hardware-pushing' games like Crysis and Metro.
INSIGHT

Gameplay Depth Eases Skepticism

  • Multiple previews suggest Crimson Desert's combat systems are deep and mechanically engaging.
  • That gameplay depth is what makes the speakers optimistic despite skepticism about scope.
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