Crimson Desert
Release Year: 2026
Developer: Pearl Abyss
Publisher: Pearl Abyss
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S
Welsh References: Accent, Actor, Language, Mythical Figure, Mythology, Name
Welsh Actors: Jack Ayres, Scott Arthur, Tobias Weatherburn
Welsh Mythology Figures: King Arthur, Myrddin, Pwyll
Featured Welsh Content
The world of Crimson Desert is called Pywel. This name has a Welsh-like style and may derive from the mythical Welsh figure Pwyll, or the Welsh language word pwyll, meaning “wisdom, sense, discretion, reason”.
The main antagonist is Myurdin, whose name can be said to come from the Welsh figure Myrddin Wyllt, later adapted as the Arthurian wizard Merlin.
The character Gabriel Caliburn (also known as Duke Caliburn and Lord Caliburn) has a Welsh reference in his name. Caliburn is one of the names attributed to King Arthur’s legendary sword Excalibur. Its original name was the Welsh Caledfwlch (meaning “hard cleft”), with Welsh historian Geoffrey of Monmouth Latinising it as Caliburnus, becoming Caliburn in Old French texts. Many other names have been documented, but Excalibur is the most familiar one today.
The Welsh female name Gwen is given to Gwen Kraber. Some of the meanings of the name Gwen include “white, blessed, fair, holy”.
Another character has the Welsh male name Bran, meaning “crow, raven”.
Welsh actors play roles in the game, including Scott Arthur as Cassius Morten, Jack Ayres as Ross, and Tobias Weatherburn as various non-playable characters.