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Pearl Abyss

Games & Interactive
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Founded
2010
Employees
1001-5000
Offices
7

About Pearl Abyss

Pearl Abyss Corp. is a South Korean AAA video game developer and global multiplatform publisher founded in 2010. The company develops and directly operates games across PC, console, mobile and cloud platforms, combining game production with publishing, live-service operations, player support and regional community management.

Its best-known franchise is Black Desert, beginning with Black Desert Online, an MMORPG built around action combat, an open world and extensive character customization. Pearl Abyss also develops Black Desert Mobile, the PvP action title Shadow Arena, and upcoming projects including the creature-collecting open-world adventure DokeV and the exosuit MMO shooter PLAN 8.

Technology-led development

A central part of Pearl Abyss’s approach is internal technology development. The company created its own game-engine lineage rather than relying solely on third-party middleware: the original Pearl Abyss Engine powered Black Desert Online, while the next-generation BlackSpace Engine supports newer work. Its production capabilities also include photogrammetry, high-precision 3D scanning, motion-capture performance capture, foley recording and bespoke audio engineering.

The company’s global headquarters, Home One, brings development, engine engineering, AI research and corporate operations together in Gwacheon, South Korea. Pearl Abyss also maintains a dedicated Art Center in Anyang for game-art and technology production, including motion-capture, scanning and sound facilities.

Publishing and live operations

After initially working with regional publishing partners, Pearl Abyss transitioned to direct self-publishing across major territories between 2017 and 2021. Its regional publishing operations support localized marketing, community management, customer service, live operations and technical services for its games.

Pearl Abyss is publicly listed on KOSDAQ and continues to develop and publish games as an active global entertainment-software company. In March 2026, it released the open-world action-adventure game Crimson Desert for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Mac.

More about Pearl Abyss

Leadership and history

  • Pearl Abyss was founded by Kim Dae-il and Youn Jae-min; its current chief executive officer is Heo Jin-young (James Heo).
  • The company completed its KOSDAQ initial public offering on September 14, 2017, under ticker KRX: 263750.

Production facilities

  • The Anyang Art Center contains a 1,000 m² column-free motion-capture space equipped with more than 150 cameras, alongside photogrammetry scanning rooms and foley soundstages.
  • Home One was designed with employee amenities as well as development, research and production functions.

Corporate development

  • Pearl Abyss acquired CCP Games in 2018, operated it independently, and divested it back to management in May 2026. The company subsequently rebranded as Fenris Creations and is no longer a Pearl Abyss subsidiary.
  • Pearl Abyss has also made strategic seed investments in mobile and cross-platform developer Vic Game Studios.

Notable credits

6 credits
  • Black Desert Online
  • Black Desert Mobile
  • Crimson Desert
  • Shadow Arena
  • DokeV
  • PLAN 8

Offices

Where Pearl Abyss is based

7 locations

  • Pearl Abyss Home One

    Headquarters
    48 Gwacheon-daero 2-gil, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do 13824, Republic of KoreaGwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

    Opened 2022

    About this office

    Pearl Abyss Home One is the global corporate headquarters, housing core development, BlackSpace Engine R&D, corporate management, 3D scanning and AI research.

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  • Pearl Abyss JP

    Shinjuku Oak Tower 10F, 6-8-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 163-6804, JapanTokyo, Japan

    Opened 2018

    Japan publishing office for regional service operations and player support.

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  • Pearl Abyss Europe

    Prof. J.H. Bavincklaan 2, 1183 AT Amstelveen, North Holland, NetherlandsAmstelveen, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

    Opened 2021

    EMEA publishing office providing technical operations, localized marketing, community management and customer support.

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  • Pearl Abyss Art Center

    Pyeongchon, Anyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of KoreaAnyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

    Opened 2022

    Dedicated game-art and technology production facility with motion-capture, photogrammetry scanning and foley sound facilities.

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  • Seoul, South Korea

    Seoul, South Korea

  • Pearl Abyss Taiwan

    17F-2, No. 7, Sec. 5, Xinyi Rd., Xinyi Dist., Taipei City 110, Taiwan (R.O.C.)Taipei City, Taiwan

    Opened 2016

    Taiwan and Greater China publishing office.

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  • Pearl Abyss America LA Office

    1230 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 230, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, USAManhattan Beach, California, United States

    Opened 2018

    North American publishing and live-operations office.

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