Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Pearl Abyss

Pearl Abyss is a South Korean video game developer and publisher founded on September 10, 2010, by Kim Dae-il and Yoon Jae-min, with headquarters in , . The company specializes in creating immersive massively multiplayer online () games, most notably the action-oriented MMORPG Black Desert Online, which launched in 2015 and has since amassed over 55 million global players by 2024. Since its inception, Pearl Abyss has focused on high-fidelity graphics, dynamic combat systems, and expansive open-world environments powered by its proprietary engine, aiming to deliver unforgettable adventures that connect players worldwide. The studio went public on the in September 2017, marking a significant milestone that fueled further expansion into mobile and console markets. Key titles beyond include the mobile adaptation Black Desert Mobile (2018) and the creature-collecting (announced in 2017, with ongoing development), while upcoming releases like the action-adventure (releasing March 19, 2026)—which won Best Game at G-Star —highlight the company's diversification into single-player narratives. has earned multiple accolades, such as Best of the Year from MMORPG.com in 2023 and the Excellence Award at the Taipei Game Show in , underscoring Pearl Abyss's reputation for innovative gameplay and . With offices in , , and , Pearl Abyss continues to invest in global publishing and new IP development, employing advanced technologies to push the boundaries of interactive entertainment.

Overview

Founding and leadership

Pearl Abyss was founded on September 10, 2010, in , , by Kim Dae-il, a former developer at and NHN Gaming, and Yoon Jae-min, the previous CEO of Game About. From the outset, the company concentrated on creating high-fidelity MMORPGs powered by its proprietary , aiming to pioneer action-oriented gameplay with seamless open-world interactions and realistic visuals. The founding team was small, comprising around a dozen experienced developers recruited from established studios, who shared a vision for emphasizing dynamic combat and player agency over traditional MMORPG conventions. This foundational approach directly informed the development of Black Desert as the studio's breakthrough title. Kim Dae-il led as CEO and producer during the early years, steering the company through initial growth until 2016, when Jung Kyung-in assumed the CEO position, allowing Kim to shift focus to creative production as an inside director. In 2022, Heo Jin-young, previously the chief operating officer, was appointed CEO to oversee operational expansion, a role he retained following reappointment in 2025 with a term through 2028; Kim Dae-il remains Chairman and .

Corporate information

Pearl Abyss is headquartered at 48 Gwacheon-daero 2-gil, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, , following the establishment of its "Home One" facility in the city. The company maintains additional studios and offices globally, including in , ; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Taipei, Taiwan; and , , supporting its international development and publishing efforts. As of the second quarter of 2025, Pearl Abyss employs approximately 1,360 people worldwide, with about 57% dedicated to game development roles. The company has been publicly traded on the exchange under the stock code 263750 since its in 2017. In 2024, Pearl Abyss reported total net profit of ₩61.0 billion, driven significantly by the Black Desert franchise, with the fourth quarter alone contributing ₩46.8 billion in net profit amid strong financial income. Pearl Abyss operates a business model centered on in-house game development and global publishing, emphasizing high-quality MMORPGs with immersive worlds and player-driven experiences. Revenue is primarily generated through in-game monetization, such as cash shops offering cosmetic items, convenience features, and expansions, without relying on subscription fees for its core titles like Black Desert. The company extends its reach across North America, Europe, and Asia, providing localized services for its games in over 10 countries to foster international player communities.

History

Formation and early development (2010–2014)

Pearl Abyss was founded in September 2010 by Kim Dae-il and a team of seven developers who had previously worked at NHN Games (later known as Webzen), bringing extensive experience in developing action-oriented MMORPGs such as R2: The Revolution, RYL Online, and Continent of the Ninth Seal. This background in the competitive Korean gaming industry, where titles like the Lineage series had set benchmarks for massive player bases and persistent worlds, profoundly influenced the founders' vision for creating immersive, player-driven experiences that combined high-fidelity graphics with dynamic interactions. From 2010 to 2012, the studio concentrated on developing its proprietary Pearl Abyss Engine, a custom-built technology tailored for seamless open-world rendering. Unlike commercial engines, this in-house solution was engineered to support vast, uninterrupted landscapes, advanced particle effects, and physics simulations, enabling fluid exploration and large-scale battles without traditional loading screens. The engine's was foundational, allowing Pearl Abyss to iterate quickly on ambitious prototypes while minimizing dependency on external tools. In 2013, Pearl Abyss initiated internal alpha testing for the Black Desert prototype, focusing on core systems like character movement, environmental interactions, and combat prototypes. These tests helped refine the engine's performance under load, ensuring stability for the game's expansive world and high player concurrency. The emphasis during this phase was on establishing a non-targeting action combat system, which prioritized manual aiming, dodging, and combo execution over conventional tab-targeting mechanics prevalent in MMORPGs of the era. The year 2014 marked a pivotal with the Korean release of Black Desert on December 23, serving as the studio's debut major title after four years of development. The launch was met with strong reception, drawing over 500,000 players within weeks and highlighting the game's innovative blend of elements and visual prowess. Despite early hurdles, including operations without substantial initial —relying instead on modest investments from figures like LB Investment's Robin Jung and personal resources to fund the approximately $10 million project—Pearl Abyss demonstrated resilience by prioritizing technological innovation and a fresh paradigm to differentiate from established tab-targeting MMORPGs.

Global expansion and IPO (2015–2017)

In 2015, Pearl Abyss expanded Black Desert internationally beyond its Korean launch, beginning with the official release in on May 12 via a publishing with GAMEON. This marked the company's first major foray into the Asian market outside , supported by a publishing contract signed in 2012. Later that year, on October 15, the game launched in through INNOVA, further broadening its reach and establishing servers tailored to regional demands. These efforts focused on localization to adapt the game's content, including language translations and cultural adjustments, to appeal to diverse player bases. The expansion continued in 2016 with the North American and European launches of Black Desert on March 3, initially published through Daum Games . Pearl Abyss set up dedicated servers in these regions to handle increased traffic, transitioning toward a model in select markets to gain greater control over operations and updates. This period saw significant investments in global infrastructure, including enhanced localization efforts for English-speaking audiences and the implementation of anti-cheat measures using XIGNCODE3 to maintain across international servers. By mid-2016, the game's player base had grown substantially, with concurrent users surging in new regions and contributing to overall global adoption. In 2017, Pearl Abyss achieved a major milestone with its (IPO) on the exchange on , pricing shares at 103,000 KRW and raising approximately 185.4 billion KRW to fund further global expansion. The listing valued the company at an initial of 1.34 trillion KRW, with shares peaking shortly after at around 118,600 KRW, reflecting strong investor confidence in Black Desert's international performance. By the end of the year, the game's registered players exceeded 4 million globally, driven by server expansions in , , and , and strategic enhancements in localization and security systems to support sustained growth.

Acquisitions and diversification (2018–2020)

In 2018, Pearl Abyss expanded its portfolio by entering the mobile gaming market with the release of Black Desert Mobile in on February 28, followed by a global launch in December 2019. This adaptation of the core Black Desert MMORPG for mobile devices marked the company's initial push into portable platforms, leveraging its action-oriented combat system for touch-based play. Concurrently, in September 2018, Pearl Abyss acquired , the Icelandic developer behind EVE Online, for approximately $425 million, securing the rights to the renowned space-based MMORPG and integrating it into its ecosystem to broaden its genre expertise. These moves were facilitated by capital raised from the company's 2017 IPO, enabling aggressive growth strategies. The following year, Pearl Abyss strengthened its North American presence by establishing Pearl Abyss America as a subsidiary in , in 2018 with full operations ramping up in 2019 to handle regional publishing, marketing, and support for Western markets. This coincided with the console expansions of Black Desert, launching on in March 2019 and in August 2019, adapting the PC MMORPG for controller-based gameplay and cross-platform accessibility to attract console audiences. These releases underscored a diversification from PC-centric MMORPGs toward multi-platform distribution, enhancing global reach while maintaining core gameplay elements like open-world exploration and real-time combat. In 2020, the influenced Pearl Abyss's operations, prompting enhancements to employee benefits such as household cleaning support and flexible policies to sustain development amid lockdowns and health concerns. Despite these challenges, the company advanced early development on new IPs, including —initially conceived as a Black Desert prequel but evolving toward a standalone open-world action-adventure title—and ongoing work on DokeV, a creature-collecting , and Plan 8, an exosuit-based shooter, both revealed in late 2019. This period highlighted Pearl Abyss's strategic shift beyond traditional MMORPGs into single-player narratives and shooter genres, aiming for broader market diversification across PC, console, and mobile.

Recent milestones and challenges (2021–present)

From 2021 to 2023, Pearl Abyss focused on expanding its flagship title with significant content updates, including the introduction of new regions such as the Land of the Morning Light in 2023, which incorporated Korean folklore-inspired quests, bosses, and awakenings for classes like Woosa and Maegu. These expansions aimed to sustain player engagement amid growing competition in the MMORPG genre, though integration challenges with acquired studio —purchased in 2018—began surfacing, as CCP's projects like expansions contributed unevenly to overall revenue. In 2024, Pearl Abyss marked the 10th anniversary of with a series of celebratory events, including 10 weeks of in-game gifts starting in October and a dedicated Festa event in featuring community streams and historical recaps of the game's milestones. However, the company faced mounting financial pressures, with Black Desert profits declining due to market saturation in MMORPGs and broader industry shifts toward single-player experiences; Q3 2024 revenue fell 6.4% year-over-year to 79.5 billion KRW (about $56.5 million USD), resulting in a net loss of 7.8 billion KRW ($5.6 million USD). Leadership changes compounded these issues, as Pearl Abyss America CEO Jeonghee Jin resigned in August after six years, citing a pursuit of new career challenges amid operational strains. The year 2025 brought further strategic pivots, including the announcement in June to divest —developer of —as part of efforts to streamline operations and attract investment from Chinese firms like , following years of integration difficulties and CCP's inconsistent financial contributions. Concurrently, development continued on EVE: Vanguard (formerly Project Plan 8), a sci-fi MMOFPS set in the EVE universe, with a public testing event in September 2025 and targeted for summer 2026 despite the studio's uncertain future. Delays in other projects exacerbated challenges, notably , initially postponed from late 2025 to Q1 2026 in August 2025 due to extended timelines for voiceover scheduling, console certification, and launch preparations, with a confirmed release date of March 19, 2026, announced in September 2025. In Q3 2025, Pearl Abyss reported a return to profitability with an operating profit of 10.6 billion KRW and revenue of 106.8 billion KRW, up 34% year-over-year, primarily due to strong performance from Black Desert updates. Overall, Pearl Abyss has navigated a saturated MMORPG market by emphasizing diversification into single-player titles like while preparing for potential 2026 releases, while divestiture plans for continue amid strategic realignments, recent financial recovery in Q3 2025 highlights adaptation to global gaming trends.

Products and services

Core developed titles

Pearl Abyss's core developed titles primarily revolve around the Black Desert franchise, an MMORPG series renowned for its expansive world and intricate player-driven economy. entered open beta in on December 17, 2014, with its full launch on , 2015, marking Pearl Abyss's debut as a major game developer, before expanding globally to and on March 3, 2016. The game emphasizes non-targeting action , where players execute fluid combos, dodges, and aerial maneuvers in battles against mobs or in large-scale PvP encounters. Complementing this are lifeskilling systems—encompassing activities like gathering, processing, cooking, and alchemy—that allow players to build professions and generate in-game wealth independently of progression. The system further enhances immersion by enabling players to invest in connecting territories, facilitating trade routes, worker management, and guild-based conquests for resource control. The Black Desert series has evolved through regular expansions that introduce new regions, classes, and endgame content, sustaining long-term player engagement. Notable additions include the region in 2017, which expanded the world by 30% with desert-themed quests and treasures, and more recent updates like the Ulukita region in 2023, featuring Mediah-inspired monster zones such as the City of the Dead and enhanced progression rewards. By 2025, expansions continued with areas like Edania, incorporating new hunting grounds, boss encounters, and relic gear sets to maintain depth in exploration and combat. These updates reflect Pearl Abyss's commitment to iterative world-building without full resets, allowing veteran players to retain progress while onboarding newcomers. Black Desert Mobile, released in South Korea on February 28, 2018, adapts the PC counterpart for portable play by streamlining interfaces for touch controls and incorporating auto-questing and auto-combat modes to accommodate shorter sessions and mobile grinding habits. While retaining core elements like class-based action fights and lifeskills, it optimizes for on-the-go , such as simplified management and event-driven progression, without altering the franchise's visual on supported devices. Console versions of Black Desert extended the series to broader audiences, launching on on March 4, 2019, and on August 22, 2019, with controller-optimized combat and UI adjustments for couch play. Cross-play functionality between and was implemented on March 4, 2020, merging player bases into shared servers for cooperative raiding and node wars, while maintaining separate progression from the PC version to align with platform-specific updates. Service for and ended on June 26, 2025, coinciding with the native launch on and on the same date, which introduced faster load times, improved graphics, and continued cross-play support. Pearl Abyss's development philosophy for these titles centers on leveraging its proprietary in-house to deliver photorealistic and seamless , prioritizing vast, interactive environments where weather, day-night cycles, and ecological systems influence dynamics. This approach, honed since the studio's founding, enables high-fidelity rendering of thousands of on-screen elements during sieges or explorations, fostering a sense of a living world over traditional quest hubs.

Published and mobile games

Pearl Abyss has expanded its publishing portfolio beyond its core developed titles to include mobile games and select third-party partnerships, emphasizing global reach through regional adaptations and initiatives. A notable example is Black Clover M: Rise of the Wizard King, a for mobile devices released in 2023, developed by Vic Game Studios—a of Pearl Abyss—and published globally by Pearl Abyss in collaboration with . The game features turn-based combat inspired by the Black Clover anime, allowing players to assemble teams of characters from the series to battle in strategic encounters, and it achieved significant early success with over 16 million downloads in its first week following the worldwide launch. In addition to third-party titles, Pearl Abyss publishes Black Desert Mobile, a MMORPG adaptation of its flagship franchise, which has received continuous expansions and events through 2025 to maintain player engagement. Key updates in 2025 include enhanced seasonal progression systems with new rewards for graduating players, and major content additions like the "Adventuring Fervor" mode and market merge features launched in to streamline economic gameplay. These expansions build on the game's core mechanics, incorporating regular events such as boss challenges and limited-time pearl shop promotions, as seen in the November 4, 2025, update. Pearl Abyss' publishing strategy has evolved toward since 2016, following initial regional partnerships for its early titles, to gain greater control over global distribution and monetization. For instance, the company secured partnerships for n and releases of Black Desert through local subsidiaries like Pearl Abyss America and Pearl Abyss Japan, but shifted to direct for in and starting February 2021, and extended this to in June 2022, unifying operations across platforms. This approach allows for tailored regional events and optimizations, such as Japan-specific content updates. The company's publishing emphasizes a model integrated with mechanics to drive revenue, where players acquire enhancements, cosmetics, and characters through in-app purchases and randomized loot systems like black stones in Black Desert Mobile. In 2025, Pearl Abyss advanced cross-platform integration via the rollout of the unified Pearl Abyss system, enabling single-account access across , PC, and console versions of its titles, including shared progression elements and convenience starting November 27, 2025, for Black Desert services. This strategy supports seamless player experiences while adapting core engine features, such as action-oriented combat, from the PC version to touch controls.

Upcoming projects

Pearl Abyss is currently developing several unreleased titles as part of its diversification strategy, focusing on action-adventure, life simulation, and shooter genres. These projects have faced delays due to expanded scopes and resource allocation toward flagship releases, with development updates shared at industry events such as The Game Awards 2024. Crimson Desert, an open-world action-adventure game set in the medieval fantasy world of Pywel, originated as a prequel to Black Desert but evolved into a standalone title. It features a single-player campaign estimated at 50 to 80 hours, emphasizing narrative-driven exploration, combat, and survival elements, with post-launch multiplayer updates planned. The game is scheduled for release on March 19, 2026, across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, following multiple delays from initial 2023 targets to refine its ambitious scope. DokeV, a creature-collecting , allows players to capture and raise "Dokebi" creatures in a vibrant, blending adventure and social elements. Development has progressed through internal alpha testing phases since 2024, though no firm release date has been announced, with indications pointing to a post-2025 launch amid ongoing prioritization of other titles. Rumors of potential exclusivity have circulated but remain unconfirmed by the . Plan 8, an exosuit-based with elements, is set in a sci-fi involving resource wars on an alien planet. The project, led by industry veteran , incorporates large-scale battles and vehicle combat, with development continuing under Pearl Abyss's next-generation engine despite delays tied to 2023–2025 resource shifts. Recent updates highlight ongoing refinement of its mechanics. Through its subsidiary , acquired in 2023, Pearl Abyss has been involved in EVE: Vanguard, a with persistent world-building features integrated into the EVE universe. Originally known as Project Nova, the game entered testing in 2024, with further development updates planned into 2026; however, Pearl Abyss announced divestiture intentions for CCP in mid-2025, potentially impacting future oversight.

Corporate structure

Subsidiaries and international operations

Pearl Abyss maintains a global network of subsidiaries and offices to support its international publishing, localization, and community management efforts for titles like Black Desert. Established as part of its expansion strategy starting in 2015, these operations enable 24/7 player support, regional marketing, server maintenance, and tailored content adaptation across key markets. The company's first international office, Pearl Abyss Taipei (TPO), was established in 2016 in Taiwan's Xinyi District to handle Asian market operations, including localization and business development for . This subsidiary focuses on regional publishing and community engagement, serving as a hub for mobile and PC game services in the area. With a team dedicated to cultural adaptation and event coordination, TPO has been instrumental in expanding Black Desert's reach in . Pearl Abyss , or Office (TKO), was founded in in , , specifically to support the launch of Black Desert Mobile and subsequent titles in the Japanese market. Employing over 40 staff, the office manages localization, campaigns, and events tailored to local preferences, while coordinating with the parent company on console and PC versions. It plays a key role in Japan's competitive gaming ecosystem, emphasizing high-quality translations and community building. In , Pearl Abyss America was officially established in 2018, with its primary office in , near . The subsidiary, with over 30 employees from diverse backgrounds, oversees publishing, operations, and community management for North American players, including server maintenance, PR, marketing, and event organization for Black Desert across PC, console, and mobile platforms. It also supports business development for upcoming projects, ensuring seamless 24/7 services through collaboration with global teams. Pearl Abyss Europe, based in , , opened its studio in 2021 as the EMEA publishing arm. Focused on EU localization, community management, and regional marketing, the office handles content adaptation, player support, and events for European markets, including multilingual services and server operations to accommodate diverse time zones. This subsidiary strengthens Pearl Abyss's presence in the region by partnering on distribution and fostering long-term player engagement. Additional operations extend to , including , where Pearl Abyss supports localized services for Black Desert without a dedicated physical office, relying on regional partnerships for marketing and maintenance. In , early international efforts began in 2015 through publisher collaborations, but operations faced challenges pre-2018 due to geopolitical issues, leading to a shift toward direct oversight from other Asian hubs. Overall, these subsidiaries collectively form a robust footprint, enabling Pearl Abyss to deliver consistent global services and cultural relevance.

Key acquisitions and divestitures

In 2018, Pearl Abyss significantly expanded its portfolio through the acquisition of , the Icelandic developer behind the MMORPG , for $425 million. This deal, announced in September and finalized later that year, allowed CCP to operate as an independent subsidiary while integrating its development expertise into Pearl Abyss's operations, particularly in MMORPG technology and player-driven economies. The acquisition aimed to bolster Pearl Abyss's global presence by incorporating 's established IP and team, diversifying beyond its core Black Desert franchise. Following the CCP deal, Pearl Abyss pursued smaller-scale investments in during 2019 and 2020, though these were primarily internal developments rather than full studio buyouts, such as the establishment of Vic Game Studio in October 2020 to support mobile adaptations of its titles. By June 2025, Pearl Abyss announced plans to divest , marking a shift in its corporate strategy. The sale, reported as underway to potential buyers including major firms, is intended to streamline operations and refocus resources on core Asian market initiatives, amid evolving business priorities where CCP's contributions had diminished in strategic alignment. This move reflects an initial expansion of the IP portfolio through Western acquisitions, followed by a pivot toward internal projects and regional consolidation.

Controversies and criticisms

In 2018, Pearl Abyss, along with its Korean publisher , initiated a against a player known online as "하늘그리메" for posting criticisms of Black Desert's business practices, including allegations of unethical tactics that prompted a player-led pearl currency . The player had been vocal since 2016 about perceived issues in the game's operations, leading to a in May 2018 after the was filed on grounds of repeated dissemination of false information and . The case drew significant backlash from the gaming community, highlighting tensions over player feedback on in-game purchases tied to Black Desert's model. The dispute escalated when the player's account was permanently banned in October 2018, amplifying public attention to the legal action. Settlement negotiations failed initially in June 2018 but succeeded later that month, with the player admitting fault, deleting the critical posts, and agreeing to non-punishable withdrawal of charges under Korean law for offenses not requiring victim consent for prosecution. Although formally filed the suit, Pearl Abyss collaborated closely in reviewing the content and identifying alleged falsehoods, positioning the developer as a key party in the resolution. That same year, Pearl Abyss became embroiled in a publishing dispute with Russian company Vebanaul, parent of GameNet, over the transition of Black Desert's operations to direct publishing by the developer. Pearl Abyss accused Vebanaul of violating data protection laws by failing to implement proper consent mechanisms for player information and collecting sensitive without or of involved parties, as revealed in an independent audit. The conflict intensified when Vebanaul denied Pearl Abyss access to servers starting in August , preventing updates and data transfers, which led to the abrupt shutdown of servers and loss of progress and purchases. Pearl Abyss further alleged that Vebanaul was player discontent as leverage in negotiations, demanding excessive compensation for the database handover. Pearl Abyss has pursued limited intellectual property claims related to its proprietary game engine technology, primarily to protect core assets in Black Desert and related titles, though these have not escalated to high-profile litigation. No major ongoing legal cases involving Pearl Abyss were reported as of 2025. Outcomes from earlier player-related suits, such as the 2018 Korean case, typically resulted in out-of-court settlements to avoid prolonged trials. The Korean gaming industry has faced regulatory scrutiny concerning gacha mechanics, aligning with investigations by the Fair Trade Commission into loot box probability disclosures and fair trade practices among major developers.

Community and ethical issues

Pearl Abyss has faced significant player backlash regarding the monetization practices in Black Desert Online, particularly allegations that its cash shop promotes pay-to-win dynamics through convenience items and enhancement-related purchases. These criticisms emerged prominently in 2016 when players protested updates allowing premium character-bound items to be sold on the central marketplace, arguing that it enabled wealthier players to gain unfair advantages; demonstrators created in-game picket signs and gathered in major cities to voice their discontent. The 2018 acquisition of CCP Games, developers of EVE Online, by Pearl Abyss for $425 million sparked concerns within the EVE community about the introduction of aggressive Korean-style monetization, such as expanded microtransactions that could alter the game's sandbox economy. These apprehensions persisted through 2025, intensified by reports that Pearl Abyss was actively seeking buyers for CCP amid strategic shifts, with potential acquirers like Chinese firms raising fears of further commercial influences on game design. Player dissatisfaction with management has grown in recent years, highlighted by forum discussions in 2024–2025 criticizing perceived neglect in content updates and slow responsiveness to community needs. This sentiment coincided with leadership changes, including the August 2024 resignation of Pearl Abyss America CEO Jeonghee "JJ" Jin after six years, and the March 2025 appointment of Heo Jin-young as global CEO for a new term ending in 2028, amid reports of declining profitability in certain segments. Ethical concerns have arisen over Black Desert Online's loot box mechanics, which resemble gambling elements and have drawn attention under evolving EU regulations aimed at protecting minors from addictive in-game purchases; broader European calls since 2022 have pushed for bans on such features in games accessible to youth. Additionally, in 2018, Pearl Abyss's partnership with a controversial Twitch streamer accused of exploiting game mechanics provoked community outrage. In January 2024, Pearl Abyss faced further backlash for banning several popular streamers on allegations of cheating without providing evidence, with accusations that decisions were influenced by rather than thorough , eroding trust among content creators and the community. In response to these issues, Pearl Abyss has implemented policy adjustments, including amendments to its and operational policies effective April 2025 to enhance user protections and game integrity. The company also renewed the enhancement in October 2025, introducing streamlined inventory integration and intuitive selections to address long-standing frustrations with the system's complexity and perceived unfairness.

References

  1. [1]
    Pearl Abyss - Crunchbase Company Profile & Funding
    Pearl Abyss is a game developer based in Korea currently developing, the Next-Gen MMORPG 'Black Desert Online'.
  2. [2]
    Kim Dae-il - Forbes
    Kim Dae-il is the founder of Pearl Abyss, an online gaming company that went public in Seoul in September 2017. His company's role-playing game Black Desert ...
  3. [3]
    Pearl Abyss 2025 Company Profile: Stock Performance & Earnings
    When was Pearl Abyss founded? Pearl Abyss was founded in 2010. ; Where is Pearl Abyss headquartered? Pearl Abyss is headquartered in Gwacheon-si, South Korea.
  4. [4]
    Pearl Abyss Corp. Overview - GlobalData
    Pearl Abyss Corp (Pearl Abyss) is a developer and publisher of online games. The company develops MMO (massively multiplayer online) and MMORPG (massively ...
  5. [5]
    BLACK DESERT CELEBRATES 55 MILLION PLAYER MILESTONE ...
    Feb 28, 2024 · Pearl Abyss scored three top awards this past week in MMORPG.com's annual 2023 Player Choice Awards, winning Best MMO of the Year for Black ...
  6. [6]
    About Us | Pearl Abyss - 펄어비스
    Pearl Abyss is a self-innovating game studio that strives to connect people through games and create new, exciting and unforgettable adventures for its ...
  7. [7]
    Pearl Abyss' 'Crimson Desert' Awarded Best Game at G-Star 2024
    Nov 29, 2024 · Pearl Abyss announced on Nov. 29 that their open-world action-adventure game "Crimson Desert" was selected as the Game of G-Star at G-Star 2024.
  8. [8]
    PEARL ABYSS' BLACK DESERT WINS 'BEST MMO ... - 펄어비스
    Dec 15, 2023 · Pearl Abyss scored three top awards this past week in MMORPG.com's annual 2023 Player Choice Awards, winning Best MMO of the Year for Black ...
  9. [9]
    Pearl Abyss Black Desert Wins Excellence Award at Taipei Game ...
    Jan 29, 2024 · Black Desert has won the Game Star Award for the sixth time from 2018 through this year. Since launching its service in Taiwan in January 2017, ...
  10. [10]
    Pearl Abyss America - LinkedIn
    Pearl Abyss America, Inc. is a developer and publisher of entertainment software. We support breathtaking games that are unimaginable to others.
  11. [11]
    About Us | Pearl Abyss
    **Summary of Pearl Abyss:**
  12. [12]
    Heo Jin-young - CEO of Pearl Abyss - KOREA WHO
    Sep 8, 2025 · Heo Jin-young is the CEO of Pearl Abyss. ... Chief Operating Officer (COO) before being appointed CEO in 2022. He was reappointed in 2025.
  13. [13]
    There are 27 rich non-owner stocks with more than 10 billion won in ...
    Sep 12, 2024 · ... Pearl Abyss CTO (75.6 billion won), △ Yoon Jae-min (58 years old), Vice Chairman of Pearl Abyss (72.1 billion won), △ Scott Samuel Brown ...Missing: founder | Show results with:founder
  14. [14]
  15. [15]
    PearlAbyss Corp (XKRX:263750) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Highlights
    Aug 13, 2025 · Headcount: 1,360 total, with 772 in the development department (57%). ... Q: How did the financial performance of Pearl Abyss fare in Q2 2025?
  16. [16]
  17. [17]
    Unearthing the origin story of Black Desert studio Pearl Abyss
    Nov 5, 2021 · I can imagine Kim Dae-il rocketed to conglomerate status in Korea with Pearl Abyss. Definitely have a lot of respect for Pearl Abyss as a whole ...
  18. [18]
    Popular online MMO "Black Desert" developed by Pearl Abyss (S ...
    Dec 8, 2016 · ... MMORPG "Black Desert". The game was developed by Pearl Abyss Chairman Kim Daeil, who produced bit hit MMO titles "Reign of Revolution 2" and ...
  19. [19]
    Who developed Black Desert Online? Meet the team behind the game
    Dec 27, 2024 · Pearl Abyss, the Black ... The journey of the Black Desert creator began with a small group of passionate developers led by CEO Kim Dae-il.
  20. [20]
    Black Desert | The Lifestream Forums
    May 10, 2014 · The game has been in development since 2010, and entered closed beta testing (CBT) in October 2013. The game uses Pearl Abyss' own "Black Desert ...
  21. [21]
    'Black Desert' Open Beta Starts On December 17th - Forbes
    Dec 3, 2014 · It will be freemium with a Cash Shop system and you will be able to pre-download the game here on December 10th. There will also be an early ...
  22. [22]
    Pearl Abyss shows 'Black Desert Mobile' - The Korea Times
    Nov 23, 2017 · When it was launched in December 2014, “Black Desert” had a slow start in the Korean market. But thanks to an aggressive drive for global ...
  23. [23]
    [Update History] Start of Pearl Abyss's Direct Service - Black Desert
    It's been five years since our first adventure took off in North America and Europe on March 3rd, 2016. And it's a unique feeling, looking back on those ...
  24. [24]
    List of games with anti-cheat technology - PCGamingWiki PCGW
    List of games with anti-cheat technology ; Blacklight · BlackShot ; Pearl Abyss, Pearl Abyss · NS STUDIO, VALOFE · Zombie Studios, Hardsuit Labs · Vertigo Games ...
  25. [25]
    Pearl Abyss IPO Part 3 - Bookbuilding Results - Sanghyun Park
    Sep 1, 2017 · Total number of share offerings, 1,800,000 ; IPO price. ₩103,000 ; Total amount to be raised, ₩185,400,000,000 ; Market cap, ₩1.34tril (US$1.19bil).
  26. [26]
    Pearl Abyss FY17 Earnings Filing - Strong Taiwan Sales Led Recent ...
    Sep 25, 2017 · Since its IPO on Sep 14, its shares rose 19.92% until today. The current price of ₩118,600 is up 15.1% even from the IPO price of ₩103,000, ...
  27. [27]
    Pearl Abyss Leads Successful Growth Based on Their ... - Inven Global
    May 29, 2018 · Black Desert Online has reached a total of 9.4 million registered players since its first release in 2014 December, South Korea. About half ...<|separator|>
  28. [28]
  29. [29]
    Grand Launch of Black Desert Mobile Hits iOS and Android on ...
    Nov 11, 2019 · Black Desert Mobile launches globally on iOS and Android on December 11, 2019, with pre-registration available on the Google Play Store or iOS ...
  30. [30]
    EVE Online Developer Bought by South Korea's Pearl Abyss - IGN
    Sep 6, 2018 · EVE Online developer, CCP Games, has been acquired by Black Desert Online creator Pearl Abyss for $425 million.
  31. [31]
    Pearl Abyss Acquires CCP Games, Makers of EVE Online - 펄어비스
    Sep 6, 2018 · Black Desert Online developer Pearl Abyss announced that it will acquire CCP Games, the creators of popular spaceship MMORPG EVE Online.
  32. [32]
    Kim & Chang Advises Pearl Abyss in Acquiring the Icelandic Video ...
    On September 6, 2018, Pearl Abyss Corp. (“Pearl Abyss”) acquired CCP ehf. (“CCP Games”), an Icelandic video game developer, for approximately KRW 252.5 ...
  33. [33]
    Introducing the Pearl Abyss 'LA Office' - 펄어비스
    We would like to introduce you to the various Pearl Abyss offices around the world. The first is the Taipei Office (TPO).
  34. [34]
    Black Desert Now Available on Xbox One with New Launch Editions ...
    MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif.—March 4, 2019—Pearl Abyss today announced that Black Desert, the all-new open-world fantasy action MMORPG, has launched on Xbox One ...
  35. [35]
    Pearl Abyss - Korean developer enhances employee benefits ...
    Aug 11, 2020 · Pearl Abyss – Korean developer enhances employee benefits amidst COVID-19 pandemic · Household Cleaning Support – This is for employees who are ...
  36. [36]
  37. [37]
    Black Desert Online Devs Announce Three Visually Impressive New ...
    Nov 26, 2019 · Black Desert Online developers Pearl Abyss announce three new games, including Plan 8 and Crimson Desert.
  38. [38]
    Black Desert Online Reveals More Details To Next 2023 Expansion
    May 28, 2023 · Pearl Abyss dropped a ton of details this week for the upcoming expansion to Black Desert Online: Land Of The Morning Light.
  39. [39]
    Pearl Abyss Q2 2023: EVE surges, Black Desert stumbles, Crimson ...
    Aug 10, 2023 · Of course, Pearl Abyss has multiple games malingering in development, including DokeV, Plan 8, and Crimson Desert, the last of which will ...
  40. [40]
    Black Desert Online Starts 10 Weeks of 10th Anniversary Gifts, and ...
    Oct 17, 2024 · Black Desert Online and Black Desert Console are in the Halloween Spirit. Pearl Abyss is also starting 10 weeks of giveaways to mark BDO's 10th anniversary.
  41. [41]
    Pearl Abyss Q3 2024: Black Desert declines, EVE Online flattens ...
    Nov 13, 2024 · Overall, Pearl Abyss saw its operating revenue fall to 79.5B KRW – about 56.5M USD, a 2.8% dip since last quarter and a 6.4% drop since Q3 2023.Missing: pressures | Show results with:pressures<|separator|>
  42. [42]
    Pearl Abyss America CEO steps down for 'a new career challenge ...
    Aug 10, 2024 · Pearl Abyss America CEO steps down for 'a new career challenge' after six years. By. Chris Neal. -. August 10, 2024 6:00 PM. 2. The very tippy ...
  43. [43]
    Pearl Abyss has apparently put CCP Games – and EVE Online
    Pearl Abyss has apparently put CCP Games – and EVE Online – up for sale ... • Pearl Abyss Q2 2025: Profits dip overall even as EVE Online ...
  44. [44]
    CCP Games
    EVE Vanguard is a Sci-fi MMOFPS set in the deep, persistent, far-future universe of New Eden. EVE Vanguard Official Page. EVE ...Careers · Contact us · Products · News
  45. [45]
    Crimson Desert Delayed to 2026 Due to 'Unavoidable' Issues ... - IGN
    Aug 13, 2025 · " It's set for release on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X and S. At the end of last year, Pearl Abyss responded to reports indicating it had ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  46. [46]
    Pearl Abyss reports $5.6 million loss in Q3 as sales slump
    Nov 12, 2024 · Net loss for the July-September period came to 7.8 billion won ($5.6 million), compared with a net profit of 14.8 billion won a year ago, the ...
  47. [47]
    Black Clover M: Rise of the Wizard King - Gematsu
    Black Clover M is a role-playing game developed by Vic Game Studios, published by Pearl Abyss and Garena. It was released in Japan on May 25 2023 and worldwide ...
  48. [48]
    Marketwire | Garena's Black Clover M bursts to #1 WW downloads
    Dec 6, 2023 · Black Clover M hit #1 worldwide downloads with 16M downloads and almost $3M in revenue in its first week, and is a team-battle RPG.
  49. [49]
    News | Black Desert Mobile - Official Website
    ANNOUNCEMENTS. Pearl Shop Update - November 4, 2025. 2025.11.04 · ANNOUNCEMENTS ... pearlabyss. © Pearl Abyss Corp. All Rights Reserved.News · Blackdesert · [UPDATES] [July 1 Patch Notes]
  50. [50]
    Pearl Abyss Unveils Major Updates for Black Desert Mobile at ...
    The 2025 Summer Season will begin with enhanced seasonal progression and rewards. Notably, graduating players will receive a new appearance-slot ...
  51. [51]
    Black Desert Mobile Unveils Major Update: Adventuring Fervor and ...
    Sep 17, 2025 · Amsterdam, The Netherlands – September 16, 2025 – Pearl Abyss announced a major update for Black Desert Mobile launching today, ...
  52. [52]
    Pearl Abyss to Begin Self-Publishing Black Desert Online - 펄어비스
    Jan 27, 2021 · Pearl Abyss will control publishing rights for the entire Black Desert franchise on all platforms, including current and next-gen consoles, PC, and mobile ...Missing: monetization | Show results with:monetization
  53. [53]
    Pearl Abyss to Begin Self-Publishing Black Desert Online
    This means Pearl Abyss will control publishing rights for the entire Black Desert franchise on all platforms, including current and next-gen ...
  54. [54]
    Pearl Abyss Officially Publishes the Black Desert Franchise Worldwide
    Jun 23, 2022 · Pearl Abyss will officially self-publishing Black Desert Online in South America starting today.Missing: Daum 2016
  55. [55]
    [Notice] Improvements Following Pearl Abyss ID Integration
    Oct 24, 2025 · As announced in our Pearl Abyss ID integration notice, starting Nov 27, 2025 (Thu), Black Desert Console website accounts will be integrated ...Missing: cross- | Show results with:cross-
  56. [56]
    Black Desert Mobile - Celebrating United Server! | Pearl Abyss
    Black Desert Mobile - Celebrating United Server! Pearl Abyss. The ultimate showdown to crown the strongest guild—coming Nov 9 & 16!Black Spirit · Black Shrine · Black Sun (Updated) · Black Spirit Mode<|control11|><|separator|>
  57. [57]
    Pearl Abyss Official Website - 펄어비스
    Pearl Abyss is a game company that aspires to create new, exhilarating, unforgettable adventures and experiences.About Us · Games Unforgettable... · Pearl Abyss News · Careers
  58. [58]
    Crimson Desert: Everything we know so far about the upcoming game
    Sep 25, 2025 · Crimson Desert's release date is confirmed for March 19, 2026. Check out the latest on this stunning new RPG, from trailers to story details ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  59. [59]
    Crimson Desert | Open-World Action Adventure - Pearl Abyss
    Pre-order Crimson Desert now! The fight for Pywel begins March 19, 2026.
  60. [60]
    Pearl Abyss gives Crimson Desert a launch date of March 19, 2026
    Sep 25, 2025 · A new trailer has unveiled a release date of March 19th, 2026 for the Black Desert counterpart, with the multiplayer features completely ...
  61. [61]
    Pearl Abyss aims to launch Crimson Desert in 2025 , confirms 50-80 ...
    Oct 23, 2024 · Crimson Desert is sticking to its expected 2025 release window, and will get a multiplayer mode after launch. It will also be about 50-80 hours in length in ...
  62. [62]
    Games | Pearl Abyss - 펄어비스
    Games · Black Desert · Black Desert Mobile · Crimson Desert · DokeV · PLAN 8 · Media · Press Releases · Events · Culture · Culture · Pearl Abyss News · Careers.
  63. [63]
    Pearl Abyss Q1 2025: Black Desert Mobile's Chinese endeavor is over
    May 15, 2025 · Q1 is a return to form as PA's revenue showing of 83.7B KRW is more in line with last year's Q1, Q2, and Q3 – indeed, only a 2% drop compared to Q1 2024.
  64. [64]
    PLAN 8 | Exosuit MMO Shooter - Pearl Abyss
    An unfamiliar place and an unforgettable message. The official site of Pearl Abyss' upcoming title, PLAN 8.Missing: 2020 | Show results with:2020
  65. [65]
    BLACK DESERT RELEASES INITIAL CONTENT SCHEDULE FOR ...
    June 23, 2025 — Pearl Abyss announced that Black Desert will officially launch natively on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on Thursday, ...
  66. [66]
    EVE Vanguard discusses plans for its next steps and future ...
    Oct 6, 2025 · A general path for development and updates will weave forward through the rest of this year and into May 2026, which will be the next EVE ...
  67. [67]
    Pearl Abyss - Highperformr.ai
    Pearl Abyss is a South Korean video game developer and publisher, renowned for the critically acclaimed MMORPG Black Desert Online.<|control11|><|separator|>
  68. [68]
    Introducing the Pearl Abyss 'Tokyo Office' - 펄어비스
    In this third interview concerning Pearl Abyss' overseas offices, we would like to introduce you to the fine people that make up the Tokyo Office (TKO). Tell us ...Missing: establishment 2015
  69. [69]
    Pearl Abyss opens new studios in Europe and North America
    Jun 4, 2021 · South Korean publisher Pearl Abyss announced today that it has opened new studios in Amsterdam and Los Angeles.<|control11|><|separator|>
  70. [70]
    Pearl Abyss Europe - LinkedIn
    Pearl Abyss Europe is the EMEA publishing arm of Pearl Abyss Corp, a leading developer and publisher of high-end videogames.
  71. [71]
    Pearl Abyss Europe B.V. full company profile on Creditsafe
    Its headquarters are located at Van Heuven Goedhartlaan 7D, 1181 LE, Amstelveen. The company number for Pearl Abyss Europe B.V. is 69433127, with a safe ...
  72. [72]
    [PDF] PearlAbyss Corp.
    Feb 21, 2018 · Stock supply/demand: PearlAbyss was listed on the KOSDAQ on September 14th, 2017. On. March 14th, 28.5% of the company's shares will become ...
  73. [73]
    Black Desert Asia (TH/SEA) - The True Value of Adventure | Pearl ...
    Korea · Japan · Taiwan / Hong Kong / Macau · Turkey / MENA · Russian-Speaking Region · NA / EU / OC · South America · Asia (TH/SEA) · Console (XBOX/PS) ...
  74. [74]
    Eve Online developers CCP are being sold off, according to reports
    Jun 19, 2025 · The owners of EVE Online developers CCP Games are looking to sell them off, according to a report from Korean finance website MTN.
  75. [75]
    EVE Online Studio CCP Reportedly Being Shopped Around For ...
    Jun 19, 2025 · Pearl Abyss is reportedly looking to sell CCP Games, the developers behind EVE Online, six years after the initial acquisition.
  76. [76]
    Pearl Abyss to Sell CCP Games? EVE Online Maker Reportedly Up ...
    Jun 23, 2025 · Pearl Abyss originally acquired CCP Games in 2018 in a deal worth up to $425m, including earn-out payments. Reports suggest that the company has ...<|separator|>
  77. [77]
    [사건 정리] '고소부터 합의까지', 검은사막 유저 고소 사건의 전말 - 인벤
    2018년 5월 ~ 8월 - 카카오게임즈, A씨 고소, 1차 합의 결렬,. 5월 경, 검토를 끝낸 카카오게임즈는 A씨를 '반복적 허위사실 게시 및 명예훼손'으로 고소했고, 동월 A씨 ...
  78. [78]
    Black Desert's Pearl Abyss claims Russian publisher is using ...
    Oct 15, 2018 · Pearl Abyss says it had been “denied access to the servers since August,” which is why Russian players already weren't getting updates. It also ...Missing: dispute | Show results with:dispute
  79. [79]
    Pearl Abyss Terms and Legal | Pearl Abyss
    Pearl Abyss Terms and Legal ... intellectual property rights such as copyrights ... dispute settlement among the members, processing of complaints, or ...
  80. [80]
    Fair Trade Commission Targets Major Gaming Firms in Loot Box ...
    Apr 23, 2025 · The gaming industry in South Korea is facing increased scrutiny as the Fair Trade Commission (FTC) investigates loot box probability ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  81. [81]
    Black Desert Online players protest 'pay-to-win' changes with in ...
    Aug 4, 2016 · Following recent changes that allow players to sell premium items on the in-game marketplace, Black Desert Online players are protesting.
  82. [82]
    None
    Nothing is retrieved...<|control11|><|separator|>
  83. [83]
    Report blasts "manipulative" video game loot boxes - BBC
    May 31, 2022 · Consumer groups from 18 countries in Europe are calling for governments to clamp down on loot boxes.
  84. [84]
  85. [85]
    Pearl Abyss Cracks Down On Cheaters In Black Desert Online
    Jun 14, 2018 · Last week, Pearl Abyss brought the mighty banhammer down on Black Desert Online players found to be using cheats, hacks, and other unauthorized ...
  86. [86]
    [Notices] Amendments to Pearl Abyss/Black Desert Terms and Policy
    Mar 28, 2025 · We plan to revise Pearl Abyss Terms of Service, Black Desert Terms of Service and Operational Policy as of April 30, 2025 (Wed) to provide a more pleasant ...<|separator|>
  87. [87]
    [Updates] Patch Notes - October 16, 2025 | Black Desert NA/EU
    Oct 16, 2025 · We've overhauled the Enhancement UI for a smoother, more intuitive experience. Along with refining the basic Enhancement UI, we've added a ...