It’s all systems go for the upcoming sequel, Jurassic World Rebirth (2025). While a trailer has yet to drop, several promotional stills and titbits about the film have left fans buzzing with anticipation. Directed by Gareth Edwards, who reinvigorated the Godzilla franchise with the 2014 reboot, Jurassic World Rebirth stars Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) superstar Scarlett Johansson, who leads an all-star cast into the next Jurassic era.
But while attention ramps up for the next film, another Jurassic sequel may have fallen by the wayside. “Jurassic Park: Survival,” a first-person action-adventure video game whose cinematic teaser-trailer dropped at last year’s Game Awards in December, promises a return to Isla Nublar 24 hours after the events of the 1993 film directed by Steven Spielberg.
“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 synopsis 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.”
Related: Universal Suddenly Scraps ‘Jurassic World’ Sequel, Future of Franchise Unknown
Earlier this year, lots of extra details about the game, along with screenshots, were shared with IGN, but since then, things have gone suspiciously quiet.
Even casual gamers will know that video games are notorious for being canceled without any warning. Sometimes, even the most promising titles don’t end up seeing the light of day, despite being close to completion. Though rare, finished games can be shelved, too.
But you might be surprised to know that, if “Jurassic Park: Survival” has indeed been quietly canceled, as many fans are now starting to fear, it wouldn’t be the first time a Jurassic game with this title has been shelved. Or the second time, for that matter.
In 2001, “Jurassic Park: Survival,” the name of a highly anticipated open-world video game intended to serve as a tie-in with Jurassic Park III (2001), was famously canceled by developers Savage Entertainment (it would have been published under Konami).
Related: Fate of Universal Studios’ Jurassic Park/Jurassic World Attractions Confirmed in New Report
14 years later, the similarly titled “Jurassic World: Survivor”, a third-person, open-world adaptation of the 2015 film, Jurassic World, was being developed by Cryptic Studios. Players would have assumed the role of Owen Grady (with Chris Pratt‘s likeness), however, it was scrapped in 2015, reportedly after the developers’ Seattle office was closed down.
While there has been no suggestion whatsoever that the new game, “Jurassic Park: Survival”, has been canceled, between the fact that they’ve opted for a rather worrisome title (and perhaps cursed), and the frustrating silence since the IGN exclusive in June, naturally, we’re a bit worried it might have already become a dinosaur fossil.
On the other hand, as the tagline for the original 1993 film says, “If it it’s not Jurassic Park, it’s extinct.” In other words, why would Universal scrap such a promising project? Though there are many reasons why hopeful gaming titles are relegated to the sands of time, pulling the plug on something like “Jurassic Park: Survival” makes no sense whatsoever.
Hopefully, they’re just taking their time cooking up something truly special in their labs.
Watch the trailer for “Jurassic Park: Survival” below:
Related: Universal’s Immersive New ‘Jurassic Park’ Experience Will Include Themed Hotel for Guests
“Jurassic Park: Survival” is expected to be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and other popular gaming platforms such as Steam sometime in the near future.
Are you excited to be going back to Isla Nublar in 1993? Let us know in the comments!
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