Before Jurassic Park became one of cinema’s most recognizable franchises, it began as a radical science-fiction concept in Michael Crichton’s original 1990 best-selling novel.
The Jurassic Park Concept Is Now Appearing Elsewhere
The story introduced two ideas that would go on to define modern dinosaur fiction: genetic cloning and the creation of a fully functioning dinosaur theme park.
Steven Spielberg’s 1993 film adaptation brought that vision to life, transforming Isla Nublar into a cultural landmark and setting the standard for blockbuster spectacle.
Now, more than three decades later, that once-original concept is suddenly starting to appear outside the boundaries of the Jurassic Park franchise itself.
A New Kind of Jurassic Park
One of the clearest examples is Clawed, an upcoming survival horror game developed and published by Flatrock Games.
Set in a dinosaur-filled theme park known as Prehistoria, the game places players in a hostile environment where survival depends on scavenging, exploration, and avoiding prehistoric predators. The Steam synopsis describes it as a covert mission through “diverse biomes, underground tunnels and deadly enclosures,” warning players that they are not the apex predator.
Now, the upcoming title has a brand-new gameplay trailer, alongside confirmation of its July 23 launch date (exclusively on Steam). The footage showcases third-person survival gameplay, environmental traversal, and encounters with a range of prehistoric creatures, including large predators and aquatic species. Watch the new gameplay trailer below:
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While Clawed isn't the only project drawing on this concept, it is one of the most prominent recent examples of the dinosaur theme park idea extending beyond Universal’s IP.
Other Upcoming Dinosaur Projects, Including Jurassic
Another major project in development is Jurassic Park: Survival, an official single-player game from Saber Interactive and Universal Products & Experiences. First revealed at The Game Awards in 2023, the title is set shortly after the events of the original 1993 film and follows Dr. Maya Joshi, an InGen scientist stranded on “a fully realized Isla Nublar.”
Since its initial reveal, the project has received occasional updates, including gameplay-focused breakdowns and behind-the-scenes material showcasing environments and creature design. However, a release date has yet to be confirmed.
Beyond officially licensed projects, fan-led initiatives such as Cretaceous Kingdom from indie creator Krenautican have also attempted to explore similar ideas, though the project was forced to rebrand after receiving legal action related to the use of Jurassic branding.
With multiple developers now exploring dinosaur theme park survival concepts, Crichton’s original idea continues to influence gaming more than three decades after its debut.
Are you excited about Clawed or any of the other dinosaur games and movies in the works? Share your thoughts with us below!
