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Credit: Universal PicturesSince the original film arrived in 1993, the Jurassic Park franchise has grossed over $6B worldwide in movie theaters alone. Now, the upcoming Jurassic World Rebirth (2025) is heading for the big screen on July 2, with Marvel star Scarlett Johansson in the lead role.
But the multi-media entertainment monster continues to produce new content spanning all forms of storytelling, while also maintaining a strong presence in the Universal Studios theme park resorts with attractions such as Jurassic World: The Ride and VelociCoaster.
However, while all eyes are currently on the new film, there’s another Jurassic sequel in development that has fans as excited as Lex and Tim when they happen upon a table full of desserts in the original 1993 film (which is quickly ruined by two miserable Velociraptors).
“Jurassic Park: Survival” — What’s It About?
“Jurassic Park: Survival” is an upcoming first-person action-adventure video game set just 24 hours after the events of Jurassic Park (1993). It follows stranded InGen scientist Dr. Maya Joshi who must battle for survival as she evades Isla Nublar’s prehistoric inhabitants.
Per the official website, the synopsis reads, “Return to Isla Nublar the day after the events of the beloved 1993 Jurassic Park film in an original adventure 65 million years in the making,” adding that fans of the sci-fi blockbuster will discover “a never-before-told story.”
Before we go any further, check out the trailer below, per Jurassic World YouTube:
We already know that “Survival” will have a “fully realized Isla Nublar,” per the official website. What this means in terms of free-roaming capabilities is unclear, but Universal and Saber Interactive have confirmed that the game will feature never-before-seen locations.
Last year, during an internal Q&A for “Jurassic Park: Survival” shared with IGN conducted with Universal Products & Experiences executive producer John Melchior and Saber Interactive creative director Oliver Hollis-Leick, several new details were revealed.
Related: ‘Jurassic Park’ Official Sequel: Everything We Know
Iconic Isla Nublar Locations
In Jurassic Park, the tour is cut short when a tropical storm makes landfall on Isla Nublar. To make matters even worse, disgruntled InGen employee Dennis Nedry (Wayne Knight) shuts down power to the park’s electrified fences, allowing several dinosaurs to escape.
“We have been working with all our stakeholders on what the island [Isla Nublar] would have looked like after the events of the film [Jurassic Park],” Melchior said during the Q&A. “This includes areas we all love like the Visitor’s Center and the T-Rex paddock.”
Throughout the film, the dinosaurs — particularly the Tyrannosaurus Rex — leave a lot of disaster in their wake. Torn-down perimeter fences, upturned Jungle Explorers, and a dilapidated Visitor Center museum atrium. And let’s not forget all that storm damage.
New Isla Nublar Locations
However, the game will also feature never-before-seen locations.
The trailer might only tease iconic locations from the film such as the Jurassic Park gates and the Visitor Center in a bid to evoke your nostalgia, but the game will also introduce other parts of the island that the characters (and we, the audience) didn’t get to see in the film.
“But also, what we didn’t see, things that were not part of the tour or got cut off by the storm,” Melchior added. “Those on the island [the characters in the 1993 film such as Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler] were supposed to be there overnight, so what does that mean?”
“What would they have seen and where would they have stayed if everything went according to plan?” he went on. “That is where we are starting. One thing is certain — the island is as much a part of the story as the characters and dinosaurs.”
Related: ‘Jurassic Park’ Sequel May Bring One of These Characters Back From the Dead
Needless to say, Isla Nublar features many more locations than we see in the film. Some are teased by a projector in the background during the dinner table scene, and there are even more in the original 1990 best-selling novel by Michael Crichton the film is based on.
Assuming the developers are taking a page out of Crichton’s novel — and why wouldn’t they? — then perhaps we can also expect areas such as the Safari Lodge (AKA Pteratops Lodge), all the other dinosaur paddocks including the Aviary, and the Jungle River Ride.
If you aren’t familiar with the book, the name “Jungle River Ride” will still likely prompt you to think of the similarly-named Universal Studios theme park resort attraction it inspired. In short, it involves an anorak-yellow cruiser that wades through dinosaur-infested rapids.
Between all the different resorts worldwide, its name varies: Jurassic Park: The Ride, Jurassic Park River Adventure, and Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure. There’s also a rebranded version of the attraction called Jurassic World: The Ride, based off the 2015 film.
Among the exclusive screenshots and concept art shared with IGN is an image of the game’s main protagonist, Dr. Maya Joshi, who’s desperately trying to navigate the island’s thrashing river rapids while two Velociraptors have plunged themselves in to try to reach her.
There’s also an image of a new location in the form of a rain-battered bunker of some kind. Taking all we know into account, “Survival” is shaping up to be an immersive Jurassic experience, but fans are eager to know whether or not the game is actually open world.
Related: Every Upcoming ‘Jurassic Park’ Installment Confirmed
Is “Jurassic Park: Survival” Open World?
The term “open world” hasn’t been mentioned in any of the marketing, which suggests that it isn’t. Instead, the website confirms that “Jurassic Park: Survival” features a “fully realized Isla Nublar,” which probably means a more “staggered” approach to exploring the island.
But at least we now know that there will be several locations — both old and new — for players to explore. And if a semi-open-world approach makes for a better Jurassic Park experience, one that focuses far more on suspense than spectacle, we won’t complain.
Either way, with new locations and more dinosaurs, you could say we’re getting the “complete version” of the 1993 film. 32+ years (and counting) is a long time to wait to pick up where the Jurassic Park tour left off, but it’s better late than never.
Related: ‘Jurassic World 4’ Everything We Know: Plot, Cast, Release Date, Trailer, and News
“Jurassic Park: Survival” Gameplay
As for the geology of the island, Hollis-Leick went into some detail about the terrain. “The island is full of different types of terrain, many of them quite challenging,” he said.
He added that players will need to prepare to traverse Nublar’s varied and dangerous landscape, saying, “The player will need to use caution and planning in some cases, checking routes in advance.”
Speaking specifically to the island’s dinosaurs, he said, “There will also be times when the player will need to move very carefully through an environment to avoid the attention of certain predators.”
The website for the game also provides plenty of details regarding gameplay itself, stating that the island is “filled with reactive wildlife, dinosaurs, and other surprising threats” and that “Jurassic Park comes alive like never before.”
Playing as Dr. Maya Joshi, you’ll need to “outsmart, escape, and interact with the film’s iconic dinosaurs” by using “your ingenuity through distraction and stealth to navigate intense and unforgettable encounters” and “all the resources at your disposal to find intelligent solutions to endure the many threats lurking on Isla Nublar.”
What Platforms Will “Survival” Be On?
Upcoming Jurassic Park/Jurassic World Projects
“Jurassic Park: Survival” is one of three sequels on the horizon. The others are Jurassic World Rebirth and “Jurassic World Evolution 3”, with the latter also releasing this year.
A fourth season for the Netflix animated series Jurassic World: Chaos Theory (2024) is likely also underway. Meanwhile, the franchise continues to entertain guests of all ages here in the real world with the newly opened Jurassic World: The Experience and all the attractions at Universal Studios destinations worldwide.
Jurassic World Rebirth — Coming Soon
Watch the final trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth below:
Are you excited about “Jurassic Park: Survival”? Let Inside the Magic know in the comments down below!