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Credit: Universal PicturesFor over thirty years, the Jurassic Park franchise has impressed audiences with its frighteningly realistic dinosaurs. From Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking 1993 classic to the record-breaking Jurassic World trilogy, the series has always pushed cinematic technology to its limits — whether through cutting-edge computer graphics or practical animatronics.
But Universal’s next Jurassic Park experience is taking things in a bold new direction — one that uses artificial intelligence.
Jurassic Park Is Going Back to 1993
“Jurassic Park: Survival” is an immersive new story set in the aftermath of the 1993 film. Developed by Saber Interactive in collaboration with Universal, the upcoming first-person action-adventure video game is re-creating Isla Nublar “as a fully realized” environment, complete with living, breathing dinosaurs, from Dilophosaurus to Tyrannosaurus Rex, each of which will be powered by state-of-the-art, adaptive AI systems.
The first official trailer debuted at The Game Awards in December 2023. Though mostly cinematic with just snippets of gameplay at the end, a recent behind-the-scenes featurette showcased absolutely everything from gameplay footage to dinosaur designs.
The video also introduced players to Dr. Maya Joshi (voiced and performed in motion capture by Payal Mistry), an InGen scientist left behind on the island after the evacuation. Her challenge: to survive using stealth, strategy, ingenuity, and all the resources available.
Related: ‘Jurassic Park’ Sequel “Adding” New Dinosaurs to Original 1993 Film
The Next Jurassic Park Sequel Will Use AI
Unlike more recent Jurassic games, though, “Survival” isn’t about cloning dinosaurs and managing parks — it’s about being trapped inside one with its prehistoric inhabitants. Not only that, but this time you’ll be facing the smartest dinosaurs the franchise has ever seen.
According to the official website for the game, every dinosaur on Isla Nublar is “reactive” and has “their own distinct and adaptive behaviors”.
The game’s predators will be powered by AI, an approach reminiscent of “Alien: Isolation”, the 2014 title whose reactive xenomorph remains one of gaming’s smartest adversaries.
Related: ‘Jurassic Park’ Sequel May Bring One of These Characters Back From the Dead
Jurassic Park‘s AI Dinosaurs Explained
While the mention of “AI dinosaurs” might raise eyebrows in a time where artificial intelligence is often viewed as a threat and an insult to creative work, the game uses the technology in a way that doesn’t replace artists or storytellers. The purpose is to make its fictional creatures more unpredictable, believable, and alive. This is nothing new in gaming.
According to Wikipedia, “artificial intelligence (AI) in video games refers to the computational systems that control non-player characters (NPCs), generate dynamic game behavior, or simulate strategic decision-making.”
“In practice, the term covers a broad range of techniques drawn from computer science, control theory, and robotics rather than “true” artificial intelligence,” it continues. “Moroever, academic AI—aimed at developing autonomous reasoning or learning— is distinct from game AI, whose goal is to deliver engaging, believable, and efficient behavior for players. In short, AI will only govern the dinosaur behavior and won’t play a part in the visuals, which is typical of NPC programming.
The Game Has Been Spared No Expense
And it’s not just the creatures that will feel alive — the developers are also rebuilding iconic locations from the original film, including the Visitor Center, and the dinosaur enclosures. There are also never-before-seen areas, such as the maintenance tunnels and even a never-before-seen resort hotel that was meant to host the park’s guests.
For fans still waiting to return to Isla Nublar — or brave it for the first time in survival mode — the upcoming game could be the most authentic Jurassic Park experience yet.
“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,” the blurb for the game reads.
“Survive thrilling first-person action as InGen scientist Dr. Maya Joshi, who was unable to evacuate Isla Nublar, in this single-player action-adventure game and discover a never-before-told story. Through thrilling encounters, experience the wonder and danger of dinosaurs, each with their own distinct and adaptive behaviors brought to life by John Hammond’s vision.”
It will be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
Are you excited about the new Jurassic Park game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below!