Pearl Abyss announced Sept. 29 that its open-world action-adventure title Crimson Desert Enhanced has received two nominations at the 2026 Golden Joystick Awards, earning recognition in the PC Game of the Year and Best Soundtrack categories.
The nominations place the title in contention at one of the gaming industry’s longest-running awards programs, with winners set to be determined through an online public vote.
Crimson Desert Enhanced Earns Two Golden Joystick Nominations
The Golden Joystick Awards were established in 1983 and are marking their 44th edition in 2026. Nominees across the awards’ categories are selected by a panel of gaming media representatives and industry experts, while players worldwide vote to determine the winners.
Crimson Desert Enhanced is nominated for PC Game of the Year, a category recognizing games that deliver a notable experience on PC, including factors such as technical performance and optimization.
The game is also competing for Best Soundtrack, which recognizes titles that use music to create memorable and immersive experiences.
Golden Joystick Awards Voting Open Through Oct. 23
Online voting for the 2026 Golden Joystick Awards is now open and will continue through Oct. 23.
The winners are scheduled to be announced Nov. 11 in London.
The two nominations add to the recognition for Crimson Desert Enhanced following its global release across PC and console platforms.
Crimson Desert Enhanced Follows Kliff Across an Open World
Developed by Pearl Abyss, Crimson Desert Enhanced is an open-world action-adventure game centered on Kliff, a member of the Greymanes.
The story begins after a devastating nighttime ambush by the Black Bears, sworn enemies of the Greymanes. The attack leaves members of the group dead or scattered across the continent.
Kliff sets out to locate his surviving comrades and rebuild what was lost. His journey leads him through a world filled with dangerous encounters, emerging alliances and mysterious factions.
As the story develops, Kliff discovers that the conflict extends beyond his original mission, confronting an unprecedented threat and a larger destiny than he initially expected.
Pearl Abyss Continues Expanding Its Game Portfolio
Pearl Abyss was established in 2010 and is known internationally for developing the Black Desert MMORPG franchise as well as Crimson Desert Enhanced.
The company develops its games using proprietary technology, with an emphasis on detailed graphics and large-scale game environments.
DokeV and PLAN 8 Also in Development
Pearl Abyss is also developing DokeV and PLAN 8. Both projects are being created with the company’s next-generation BlackSpace Engine as the developer continues working on new titles for global markets.
The studio’s two Golden Joystick nominations for Crimson Desert Enhanced recognize separate elements of the game, with PC Game of the Year focused on the overall PC experience and Best Soundtrack highlighting its musical presentation.
With voting remaining open through Oct. 23, the final results will be determined ahead of the Golden Joystick Awards ceremony in London on Nov. 11.
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