Seven years is a long time for a game that still mostly exists as a pretty trailer. That’s how long it’s been since DokeV was announced back in 2019, and for most of that stretch Pearl Abyss was upfront about where its resources were actually going: Crimson Desert. Now that game has shipped, in March 2026, and the pendulum is swinging back the other way.
In a letter to investors, the company confirmed that developers are gradually moving back onto the DokeV team and that the project remains on schedule. The exact headcount hasn’t been disclosed, but the shift itself is a good sign — this isn’t a shelved game quietly gathering dust, it’s a studio methodically gearing up for the final push.
What we know about the timeline. The release is still slated for the second half of 2028 — roughly two more years of waiting. But that doesn’t mean radio silence until then. Expect a slow build-up of information along the way:
-
a full marketing push will kick off later, closer to launch;
-
new materials will roll out as development progresses;
-
a proper reveal with gameplay and a demo is promised for the second half of 2027.
The pattern is fairly predictable: a quiet development phase with occasional updates, followed by a year of heavy marketing ahead of release. For anyone keeping an eye on DokeV, that means the next genuinely major update probably won’t land before late 2027.
Table of Contents
Why DokeV Still Has Players’ Attention
On paper, it’s an open-world adventure action game where players capture and collect strange creatures called Dokebi. Pokémon comparisons showed up right at the reveal, and for good reason — bright visuals, a light tone, and a focus on exploration rather than heavy storytelling.
At the same time, Pearl Abyss isn’t leaning on collecting alone. The studio is emphasizing dynamic combat and freedom of movement, pushing the game closer to an action-RPG than a traditional monster collector. That genre mashup is a big part of why interest has held up despite the studio’s long silence.
What to Watch For Next
The takeaway is straightforward: DokeV is alive, it has a release window, and its team is growing again — but the real test comes in 2027, when the first full gameplay reveal is due. Until then, it’s worth treating each update as a sign of progress rather than a basis for firm expectations. Plenty of details, from team size to actual game content, are still being kept under wraps.
