Ethan Crossfield 
With PC storefront deals constantly evolving, Steam players are now seeing a different kind of promotion: a randomized key bundle that could land major releases alongside smaller indie titles. One of the headline possibilities is Crimson Desert, which some users may be able to access for as little as $1.
Crimson Desert is $70 on Steam—but this deal works differently
Pearly Abyss’ open-world game Crimson Desert has been a standout on Steam since its earlier-year release, and a limited-time promotion is giving players a shot at experiencing it for a fraction of the usual cost. However, this isn’t a traditional discount. The game remains priced at $70 on Steam, and the promotion instead relies on a randomized commercial bundle where the specific Steam key winner receives is unknown at purchase.
Since Crimson Desert launched in March, Pearly Abyss has continued rolling out updates, with the latest arriving in July 2026. While some of those updates focus on technical and gameplay problems reported by players—such as reward-related issues, performance drops, and rendering problems—the overall reception is that the game is in a stronger state now than at earlier points in its lifecycle. For Steam users willing to take a gamble, that “better now” timing is part of what makes the promotion notable.
How the Fanatical Mystery Egg Bundle Key Raffle works
The promotion comes through Fanatical’s Mystery Egg Bundle, which sells randomized Steam keys starting at $1. Every purchase guarantees a Steam key, but there’s no way to preview which game will be awarded. Most buyers are expected to receive smaller indie titles from the pool, though each weekly refresh also includes premium “Golden Egg” rewards.
The current lineup includes the Crimson Desert Digital Deluxe Edition, alongside other featured titles such as Death Stranding 2, Doom: The Dark Ages, and LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Digital Deluxe Edition. If Crimson Desert is the one you receive, the Digital Deluxe Edition includes the Karios Plate set (helm, armor, cloak, gloves, and boots), the Balgran Shield, and the Exclaire Horse Tack Set (Champron, Barding, Saddle, and Stirrups).
Because the bundle is effectively a lottery, the odds are not the same for every buyer. One person might receive Crimson Desert, while another could get a much smaller Steam game instead. Fanatical also offers multi-key packs (up to 30 keys), which can lower the average cost per key to roughly 66 cents—but the promotion does not improve the chances of receiving any specific title.
Who should buy—and what to watch for next
This type of promotion is best suited for players who mainly want new games to play and are comfortable receiving something other than Crimson Desert. If you only want the AAA release, the structure makes it a poor fit: it’s a mystery box, not a guaranteed discount.
For Steam users who are open to exploring indies while still taking a shot at a major open-world title, the bundle is currently one of the more interesting ways to hunt for a high-profile game at a low entry cost. The key detail is to treat it as a gamble—then decide whether the potential upside outweighs the likelihood of ending up with a smaller title.
Key points
- Crimson Desert is not discounted on Steam; the $1 price applies to randomized keys in a bundle.
- Fanatical’s Mystery Egg Bundle guarantees a Steam key, but the awarded game is unknown.
- The current lineup includes Crimson Desert Digital Deluxe Edition and other premium “Golden Egg” options.
- Buying more keys lowers the average cost per key, but does not improve odds for a specific game.
| Item | Confirmed details |
|---|---|
| Promotion type | Randomized Steam key bundle (no guaranteed game match) |
| Starting price | $1 for a single Steam key |
| Multi-key option | Packs up to 30 keys; lowers average cost per key to ~66 cents |
| Crimson Desert entry | Digital Deluxe Edition included in the current lineup |
Expert View
This promotion highlights how major publishers and retailers are using “mystery” formats to move keys without marking down marquee titles. For the community, it can create short-term excitement around a franchise—especially when a game is actively receiving updates—but it also reinforces a clear market lesson: bundles like this reward curiosity more than certainty. In the competitive scene, the real impact is indirect—more players trying the game could boost discussion and visibility, yet the randomness means momentum will be uneven across the player base.
