Konrad Tomaszkiewicz Praises Crimson Desert as a Return to Artistry

Crimson Desert has secured high-profile praise from an unlikely but powerful source: the director of The Witcher 3, Konrad Tomaszkiewicz. While both titles are celebrated single-player fantasy adventures, they occupy distinct corners of the gaming landscape. Where The Witcher 3 leans heavily on its deep narrative, character development, and traditional RPG mechanics, Pearl Abyss has crafted a vast open world that stands as a testament to modern design. Tomaszkiewicz recently highlighted how these two massive projects are often compared, yet they share a unique spirit of innovation rather than mere replication.

A Bold Rejection of Profit-First Game Design

In an interview with The Game Business, Tomaszkiewicz grouped Crimson Desert alongside Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as titles that are genuinely "different." The director, who left CD Projekt to lead his own studio, Rebel Wolves (known for The Blood of Dawnwalker), argued against the current industry trend of prioritizing revenue over creativity.

"The problem in this industry sometimes is that people opening companies are thinking [too much] about how to make money," Tomaszkiewicz stated. "This is a really cold approach for the games. You cannot create art like this."

Tomaszkiewicz believes that adding risky elements to triple-A RPGs is essential to prevent them from becoming homogenous products. He noted that setting up Rebel Wolves was driven by the desire to deliver something fresh rather than recycling established formulas. This philosophy aligns perfectly with the direction Crimson Desert has taken, which avoids being a simple copy of other AAA games.

Reviving the Mystery of 1990s Gaming

A core component of Tomaszkiewicz's praise for Crimson Desert is its ability to evoke the spirit of gaming in the 1990s. He described an era where every release felt like a discovery, noting that "every game was some unknown." This sense of unpredictability and novelty is what he hopes to replicate with his own projects and sees reflected in Crimson Desert.

  • The game delivers a fresh experience distinct from other major releases
  • It recaptures the feeling of playing on older hardware like a 286 PC or Atari
  • It encourages players to explore without knowing exactly what lies around every corner

"The approach, he said, of 'adding some risky stuff' to triple-A RPGs so they're not simply the same as what has come before, was the whole point of setting up Rebel Wolves," Tomaszkiewicz explained. He emphasized that seeing games like Crimson Desert and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is making him feel the excitement he experienced decades ago when every new title offered a unique world to explore.

Market Success and Future Recommendations

The industry's shift toward more creative, risk-taking projects seems to be resonating with players. Both Crimson Desert and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 have become massive hits. The former has already sold 4 million copies, while the latter has surpassed 5 million sales and secured most of the major Game of the Year awards for 2025. Tomaszkiewicz will be hoping for similar commercial success with his upcoming single-player open world fantasy adventure, The Blood of Dawnwalker.

For those eager to dive deeper into the world of Pearl Abyss, there is a wealth of content available. Our coverage includes features on how NPCs are the stars of the show and details about a hidden food consequence system that a modder has successfully restored. We also highlight an impressive character creator mod that allows for unprecedented customization.

To help you navigate this expansive world, we recommend exploring our essential guides:

  • Things to Do First in Crimson Desert: A crucial starting guide for new players.
  • Things Crimson Desert Doesn't Tell You: An evolving list of 28+ secrets and mechanics.
  • Best Early Weapons: Our top recommendations for weapons to pick up immediately.
  • Best Skills to Get First: Includes a detailed explainer of the skills system.
  • 34 Essential Tips and Tricks: Comprehensive advice for succeeding in Pywel.

Wesley Yinpoole, Director of News at IGN, provides this coverage. Connect with him on Twitter at @wyp100 or reach out via email.