US Studio Discovers Fossilized Dinosaur Game 'Turok'

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At the Gamescom trade fair, gamers were treated to an early look at “Turok: Origins,” a third-person shooter that pits players against dinosaurs and extraterrestrial beings. The original “Turok” was a hero from 1950s comic books, who later appeared in a series of popular Nintendo 64 games in the late 1990s and carried on through various consoles in the early 2000s.

Following a period of relative obscurity, Saber Interactive, a US-based studio founded in Russia and now headquartered in Florida, revived the franchise with “Turok: Origins.” The game combines elements reminiscent of “Jurassic Park” and “Predator,” blending prehistoric creatures with sci-fi elements.

Saber Interactive was initially surprised when Universal Studios approached them in 2020 to work on the “Turok” intellectual property—an indication that the franchise had been dormant for some time. Historically, Saber has been known for breathing new life into neglected titles, such as “Space Marine” from Warhammer 40,000 and “Evil Dead.”

The latest version, “Turok: Origins,” was showcased at Gamescom in Germany, one of the world’s largest gaming events, which drew over 357,000 attendees before closing on Sunday. The development team, which at its peak included around 250 staff members, designed the game to support both single-player and multiplayer modes where players can battle opponents controlled by artificial intelligence.

While the early “Turok” offered a rough, exploration-focused experience akin to early Lara Croft adventures set in prehistoric landscapes, the new “Origins” reboot aims for a more fast-paced, cinematic experience tailored to modern gamers’ expectations. The developers are committed to respecting the roots of the original games, especially “Turok 1” and “Turok 2,” while enhancing the universe’s consistency.

Previous attempts to reboot the series, like the 2008 game simply titled “Turok,” met mixed reviews, and a 2019 follow-up was disconnected from the main storyline. As of now, there is no confirmed release date for “Turok: Origins,” but it is expected to be available on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC platforms.