The sandbox MMORPG Black Desert is now set to come to the West earlier than announced. Publisher Daum cites the enthusiasm and feedback of the Western audience as the reason for the haste.
Previously, it was said that Black Desert would arrive in the West in early 2016, that being a realistic date. Apparently, the plans were reviewed by Publisher Daum and it was determined that 2015 is achievable after all.
In a press conference at the Ritz-Carlton in Seoul, as reported by the “Koreatimes”, Hong mentioned that they are aiming for the “second half of 2015” and are hopeful to invigorate the “stagnant” market. Black Desert has been developed since 2010 by 100 developers and 100 additional staff.
The article from Koreatimes is quite critical and states that Publisher Daum needs a “big hit” to survive as a publisher of its own titles.
Also, in a conversation with a fan site, it was confirmed that Black Desert aims to launch in the West in 2015. The reason for this, the fan site speculates, is likely a positive response and an unexpectedly strong “hype”, meaning a mix of fan and media interest.
The statement comes from both the CEO of Daum Sean Hong and Brian Oh from Pearl Abyss, the actual developers. 2015 is the official target for a release in the West.
Last week, there was already a trailer for the combat system in Black Desert, here is another one that shows everything else: boating, sailing, a kind of sim-like housing, gutting carcasses, chopping wood, stone mining, super complicated potion brewing, cutting onions – what you do in a sandbox.
Anyone wanting to know more about the game will find a big Black Desert preview with numerous information.
Update 8.12.: Stand down. It is now said that the Koreatimes mistranslated it. The fan site also received incorrect information from the press office. Now the release in the West is again planned for 2016.
