Manhattan Beach, CA – January 22, 2026 – Pearl Abyss introduced Black Desert Online’s newest major update today, Olvia Academy, designed to guide new Adventurers through the expansive world of Black Desert. Olvia Academy delivers a structured, term-based progression that blends combat training and Life Skill education, along with generous rewards.
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Olvia Academy
Olvia Academy operates on a term system, with the first term running from January 22, 2026, after maintenance, through April 16, 2026, before maintenance. Adventurers with a Level 60 or higher character can enroll via the Olvia Academy emblem located near the minimap. Adventurers who complete the introductory quest receive an Academia Outfit, along with a special title.
Curriculum
Olvia Academy offers a well-rounded curriculum divided into two core tracks.
- Combat Course: Adventurers progress through a dedicated storyline that teaches fundamental combat mechanics while reinforcing core gameplay concepts.
- Life Skill Course: Foundational instruction in essential Life Skills such as Gathering, Cooking, and Alchemy, providing practical knowledge and hands-on experience.
By completing both courses, Adventurers earn valuable Family-wide rewards designed to significantly support long-term progression. Combat Course rewards include high-end enhancement materials and powerful equipment, such as Choose Your PEN (V) Blackstar Weapon Box, Darkstar Black Stone for guaranteed PEN (V) Blackstar enhancement, up to 6,000 Crone Stones and more. Life Skill Course rewards focus on Life Skill growth, including Blue-grade TRI (III) Life Skill Clothes, TRI (III) Life Tools, up to 9,000 Cron Stones and more.
Monster Zone and Weekly Challenges
Adventurers can defeat pirates who now occupy a special monster zone near the Olvia campus and complete weekly quests to earn Academy Coins. This dedicated zone is designed specifically for Academy progression, with increased item drop rate effects disabled and Agris Fever not consumed, ensuring balanced and focused gameplay.
Star’s End Remake
In addition to Olvia Academy, the January 22 update introduces a remake of Star’s End, one of Black Desert Online’s most iconic monster zones. Reimagined as a fast-paced, field-style endgame zone, the revamped Star’s End emphasizes dynamic combat and strengthened versions of its signature mechanics.
Adventurers can now obtain Effect Dyes for Sovereign Weapons and Edana’s Defense Gear by acquiring materials from Star’s End. These dyes allow players to customize the visual effects of their equipment, with Sovereign weapons also changing their appearance color to match the selected effect, offering enhanced personalization alongside endgame progression.
For more information on Black Desert Online, please visit the official website. To stay up to date with the latest events in Black Desert Online, follow the game on Facebook, X, and YouTube.
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ABOUT BLACK DESERT IP
The Black Desert IP is Pearl Abyss‘ open-world action MMORPG franchise with cutting-edge visuals and skill-based combat that redefines the genre. With the most developed character customization system of any game currently on the market, players can break out of the norm and make unique characters that truly represent themselves. Its intuitive controls, beautifully designed world, and extensive lore will excite both newcomers and veterans of MMO games and action RPGs. Pearl Abyss is currently servicing the Black Desert IP, which has gained 55 million players across the world on PC, mobile, and console.
ABOUT PEARL ABYSS
Established in 2010, Pearl Abyss is a leading developer in the game industry with its renowned MMORPG franchise Black Desert, which is available on PC, mobile, and console. All of Pearl Abyss’ games are built on the company’s proprietary engine and are renowned for cutting-edge graphics. Pearl Abyss is currently developing Crimson Desert, DokeV, and PLAN 8 using its next-generation game engine and is poised to grow its overseas market. More information about Pearl Abyss is available at: www.pearlabyss.com.
Hailey Armstrong 
Melanie Gazazian