Full Breakdown
Crimson Desert Outfit Bug Triggers Censorship Claims and Review Bombing
5/14/2026, 12:29:59 AM
Damiane Outfit Alteration Sparks Censorship Accusations
A May 2026 patch (v1.06.00) for Pearl Abyss’s open-world RPG *Crimson Desert* unintentionally altered Damiane’s Elegant Carmine Leather Armor, adding thick black shorts under the red skirt. Many players called this “censorship.” The change spread on X and Reddit, prompting negative Steam reviews that listed “censorship” as the reason for a “Not Recommended” rating.
Background: Launch Success and Rapid Update Cadence
*Crimson Desert* launched early 2026, selling five million copies in its first month and earning favourable critic scores. Pearl Abyss has kept a rapid update cadence, delivering patches that fix bugs, add end-game combat features, and expand mounts. The May patch was billed as one of the game’s biggest updates. The patch also introduced new end-game combat abilities and additional mount options.
Criticism & Opposition
Players accused the developer of a “DEI patch” and of betraying fans after hitting sales targets. Steam reviewers posted remarks like “Really?? Censoring the game now??” and “Why have you started censoring outfits after taking our money?” Some organized a review-bomb campaign, calling the change a “bait-and-switch.”
On-the-Ground Reports
Other players defended Pearl Abyss, noting the alteration was minor and barely noticeable unless examined. Some expressed indifference, saying the issue did not affect their enjoyment.
Developer Response
Pearl Abyss addressed the controversy on the official *Crimson Desert* Known Issues page, saying the outfit change stemmed from a bug while fixing a clipping problem. The studio confirmed the original design will be restored in an upcoming patch and apologized for the visual inconsistency.
Data Overview
Sales: 5 million units first month. Steam Ratings: 86 % overall, 84 % recent, 83 % “Very Positive.” Daily Activity: ~55 000 concurrent players. Review Activity (day): 111 positive vs. 78 negative, showing the bomb has not shifted overall sentiment.
Conflicting Perceptions and Gaps
Sources differ on the change’s visual impact: some call it “barely noticeable,” others see it as deliberate censorship. No exact count of review-bomb posts is given, and the patch timeline is only described as “soon.”
What’s Next: Upcoming Patch and Community Outlook
Pearl Abyss pledged to revert Damiane’s outfit in the next update to quell the controversy. Analysts say the incident will have limited long-term impact given the game’s strong sales and active player base. The patch is expected within weeks, according to the developer’s roadmap.
Verbatim Quotes
- “While fixing an issue where the Elegant Carmine Leather Armor would clip, its appearance was unintentionally altered.” — Pearl Abyss
- “Why are you censoring Damiane? That’s so unnecessary and disappointing.” — X user
- “Really?? Censoring the game now??” — Steam reviewer
- “Why have you started censoring outfits after taking our money?” — Steam reviewer
- “DEI patch” — reviewer
