If you’ve followed Pearl Abyss’s development pipeline for the last five years, you already know Crimson Desert is one of the most hotly anticipated open-world MMORPGs of the decade. The studio behind Black Desert Online is leaning into darker, more narrative-driven gameplay this time around, and pre orders for the title are starting to roll out across all major platforms. If you’re thinking of locking in your copy early, you’re probably curious about the crimson desert pre order bonus offerings across every tier, and which ones are actually worth your hard-earned cash. I’ve sifted through official announcements, retailer listings, and community verified leaks to break down everything you need to know before you click that buy button.
What’s Included in the Standard Crimson Desert Pre Order Bonus
The standard edition pre order is the most accessible option for most players, priced at $59.99 across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. You’ll get the full base game of course, plus a set of limited perks you can’t unlock through regular gameplay after launch. The first and most useful perk is the Desert Explorer Starter Pack, which includes a rare Red Camel mount with 20% higher carry weight than the default starting mount, perfect for early game gathering and travel across the game’s vast desert regions.
You’ll also get the exclusive “First Wanderer of Calpheon” title, a cosmetic flair that lets other players know you were part of the pre launch community. The last standard tier bonus is 30 days of premium account access, which gives you 15% extra XP, 10% higher item drop rates, and waived fast travel fees for your first month of play. That premium access alone costs $14.99 if purchased separately, so you’re already getting extra value even with the lowest tier pre order.
Premium and Collector’s Edition Pre Order Perks to Consider
If you’re planning to sink hundreds of hours into Crimson Desert after launch, you might want to look at the higher pre order tiers for extra perks. The $89.99 Digital Premium Edition includes all standard pre order bonuses, plus the Exclusive Crimson Knight Armor Set – a cosmetic and stat-boosting set that gives 5% extra damage against desert-type enemies for the first three months of launch, plus a unique glow effect that can’t be replicated with in-game dyes. You’ll also get five extra character slots, on top of the three included with the base game, so you can try every playable class without deleting your main character.
For diehard fans, the $149.99 Physical Collector’s Edition includes all Digital Premium perks plus a range of physical memorabilia. Before you spring for this high tier, make sure you go through this quick pre-purchase check list to avoid common mistakes:
The Collector’s Edition also comes with a 12-inch painted statue of the game’s protagonist, a 200-page hardcover art book, the official game soundtrack on vinyl, and a cloth map of the entire Crimson Desert world. I still have a collector’s edition statue for a 2022 MMORPG that shut down six months after launch, so I’m extra careful about splurging on this tier unless I’m 100% sure I’ll love the game.
Are Crimson Desert Pre Order Bonuses Worth the Extra Cost?
This is the question most players ask, and the answer depends entirely on how invested you are in the game right now. If you’ve been following Crimson Desert’s development for years, played the beta, and already know you’ll be playing for months after launch, even the standard pre order is a no-brainer. The premium access alone pays for a big chunk of the extra value, and the exclusive items are fun to show off to other players who join later.
But if you’re on the fence about the game, you’re better off waiting for launch reviews before you buy. Most of the value from the crimson desert pre order bonus comes from limited cosmetics and early quality of life boosts, not permanent power gains. It’s important to note that pre order bonuses are not pay-to-win – the temporary stat boosts on the Crimson Knight armor are minor, and all endgame content will be accessible to players who buy the game after launch without any extra effort.
If you only care about playing the core game, you don’t lose anything by waiting. The only thing you’ll miss out on is the limited pre order exclusive items, so if rare cosmetics don’t matter to you, hold off until you see how the game performs on launch day.
How to Claim Your Crimson Desert Pre Order Bonus After Purchase
Claiming your bonuses is straightforward, but there are a few small details to watch out for so you don’t miss out. If you buy a digital copy of the game, all your pre order bonuses will be automatically linked to your platform account. You’ll find them in your in-game mailbox the first time you log in after launch, no extra steps required. If you buy a physical copy, you’ll find a printed redemption code inside the game case that you can enter on your platform’s store page to unlock your bonuses.
You have to redeem physical codes within six months of launch, otherwise they expire and you won’t be able to access your perks. If you pre ordered from a third party retailer and haven’t received your digital bonus code within 24 hours of purchase, contact their support team immediately – some retailers send codes separately from the game purchase confirmation. Don’t forget to check for platform exclusive pre order perks too, for example, PlayStation Store pre orders get an extra Crimson Desert themed controller skin, while Steam pre orders get a free digital copy of the game’s official comic.
If you run into issues accessing your crimson desert pre order bonus, reach out to your platform’s support team first, not Pearl Abyss. Most code and delivery issues are handled by retailers and platform holders, so you’ll get a faster response going that route. If you decide to upgrade from the standard edition to the premium edition later, you’ll get all the extra bonus items automatically, no need to repurchase the full game.
At the end of the day, the crimson desert pre order bonus offerings are tailored for fans who already know they want to dive deep into the game’s vast open world on launch day. You don’t have to splurge on the most expensive tier to get the best value, even the standard pre order gives you exclusive items that will make your first few weeks of gameplay much smoother. If you’re still unsure, wait for the first 10 minutes of gameplay footage that drops a week before launch, that will give you a clear idea of whether the game is right for you. Either way, make sure you only buy from trusted sources so you don’t lose out on any of the limited perks you’re paying for.