The Jurassic World Evolution 2 Dominion Biosyn expansion just launched, and fans of the franchise have a lot to look forward to with the new in-game content. Jurassic World Evolution 2 first launched in November 2021, and I was lucky enough to be the one to review it. As I said in my final thoughts, “…every detail was considered and the game will appeal to a wide range of gamers, not just fans of Jurassic Park or Sim games.”
The Jurassic Park franchise spans movies, merchandise and video games, both through their own IPs and as a special feature like in LEGO Brawls. The Dominion Biosyn expansion is live now, and ties directly into the new film, Jurassic World Dominion. CGMagazine got to sit down with Jurassic World Evolution 2 Dominion Biosyn Game Director, Rich Newbold, to see what’s new in the franchise, and what players can look forward to with the new expansion.
CGMagazine: Jurassic World Evolution 2 follows along with the Jurassic Park franchise. Was it important to the team to keep the Dominion Biosyn expansion on the same timeline as the newest film?
Rich Newbold: It’s a great opportunity to be part of the franchise, and it’s also really important to us to ensure that whatever we do is authentic to the experiences from the big screen. We really enjoyed crafting a story and content inspired by Jurassic World Dominion that fits so well into the canon, as well as working with the much-loved cast from the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World films again.
CGMagazine: How does the new Dominion Biosyn Expansion connect to Jurassic World Dominion?
Rich Newbold: The Dominion Biosyn Expansion features a wealth of new content inspired by the epic cinematic events of the much-loved franchise’s latest instalment, Jurassic World Dominion. We’ve introduced a gripping new campaign focused on Biosyn Genetics, an exciting ‘what if’ scenario in Chaos Theory mode, and awe-inspiring new feathered dinosaurs from the movie such as the Pyroraptor and Therizinosaurus. In addition, there’s the ancient carnivore Dimetrodon the predatory flying reptile, the giant Quetzalcoatlus, and a range of stunning Dominion-inspired variants and skins for existing species.
CGMagazine: What sort of things can we expect to see in Jurassic World Evolution 2 Dominion Biosyn Expansion?
Rich Newbold: The expansion features a new campaign, which expands the story of Jurassic World Dominion. We’re excited to tell a story inspired by the events of the new film, where you’ll be teaming up with Lewis Dodgson (voiced by Campbell Scott), to help run operations at a high-tech Biosyn Genetics facility in a new valley environment. As part of the campaign, you’ll be overseeing the multi-stage construction of a sprawling new compound, unearthing amber-encased DNA to synthesise the new film-inspired species, and eventually working to restore a fire-ravaged forest to help the dinosaurs thrive.
Alongside the new campaign narrative, you can also experience an exciting ‘what if’ scenario inspired by the events of Jurassic World Dominion in Chaos Theory. You’ll be teaming up with Owen Grady to house and care for escaped dinosaurs at his snowy Sierra Nevada ranch, and working on keeping them safe from rustlers who are coming to steal them away. Build flood-lights, watchtowers, and other defensive structures to anticipate, prevent, and intercept these rustlers.
And then of course we have the stars of the show, the prehistoric species. Players can bio-engineer the ferocious pack-hunter Pyroraptor, or bring the intimidating Therizinosaurus and its impressive claws to life in your parks. You may even see some new behaviours from these impressive feathered dinosaurs! In addition to these majestic species, the ancient carnivore Dimetrodon and the gigantic flying reptile Quetzalcoatlus will prove captivating additions to any park or research facility, and we have other dinosaur variants and skins inspired by Jurassic World Dominion too.
CGMagazine: Can we expect any new characters/voices in the expansion?
Rich Newbold: We’re excited to be bringing both new and familiar faces to Jurassic World Evolution 2: Dominion Biosyn Expansion. You’ll team up with a star-studded cast of characters from across the franchise, including Dr. Alan Grant (voiced by Sam Neill), Dr. Ellie Sattler (voiced by Laura Dern), and Claire Dearing (voiced by Bryce Dallas Howard). The campaign also features new characters from Jurassic World Dominion as they work alongside Lewis Dodgson (voiced by Campbell Scott) and Ramsay Cole (Mamoudou Athie). It’s been really exciting working alongside all those amazing talent actors as they reprise their roles from the film.
CGMagazine: What are some challenges the team faces when making a game that ties in with film franchises?
Rich Newbold: We knew that Jurassic World Dominion was going to feature feathered dinosaurs for the very first time in the franchise’s history, so it was important to us that their in-game counterparts were authentic to how they look, move and sound on screen. We even created new fur technology for the game that allowed us to add a rich and varied amount of detail to the models, which all helped to make them feel incredibly real.
Adding snow, dust and water effects to the feathers and fur really helped complete the look of these dinosaurs within their environment. We were also lucky enough to work closely with our friends at Universal to get access to lots of amazing reference imagery and movement/sound files so that we could create dinosaurs that feel as real as possible.
CGMagazine: Are there any plans for the future of Jurassic World Evolution you can share?
Rich Newbold: We’re currently focused on the exciting launch of the Dominion Biosyn Expansion, and the accompanying free update. However, while we can’t share more right now, the team is working hard on future content for Jurassic World Evolution 2.
CGMagazine: And just for fun, what is your favourite part of the new Dominion Biosyn Expansion?
Rich Newbold: I really enjoyed working the actors from the movie reprising their roles in their VO sessions, so for me it’s working alongside those characters in game, especially in the new Jurassic World Dominion Chaos Theory level working to protect my dinosaurs from the rustlers trying to steal them!
