View source for Trespasser (video game)

{{short description|1998 action-adventure video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Trespasser
| image = Jp-trespasser-cover.png
| developer = [[DreamWorks Interactive]]
| publisher = [[Electronic Arts]]
| producer = [[Seamus Blackley]]
| designer = [[Austin Grossman]]
| programmer = Andrew Grant<br>Mark Langerak
| artist = Terry Izumi<br>Kyle McKisic<br>Philip Salas
| composer = [[Bill Brown (composer)|Bill Brown]]
| engine = 
| series = ''[[Jurassic Park video games|Jurassic Park]]''
| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows]]
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|October 27, 1998<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 22, 1998 |title=''Trespasser'' to Intrude on Gamers |url=http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_10/22_trespas/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010221010629/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_10/22_trespas/index.html |archive-date=February 21, 2001 |access-date=October 19, 2024 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>}}
| genre = [[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]], [[first-person shooter]]
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]]
}}

'''''Trespasser''''' is a 1998 [[action-adventure game|action-adventure]] [[video game]] developed by [[DreamWorks Interactive]] and published by [[Electronic Arts]] for [[Microsoft Windows]]. The game serves as a sequel to the 1997 film ''[[The Lost World: Jurassic Park]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/TECH/9706/21/e3.wrap/index2.html|title=E3: a whiz-bang preview of next year's digital thrills|date=June 21, 1997|publisher=[[CNN]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000415041536/http://www.cnn.com/TECH/9706/21/e3.wrap/index2.html|archive-date=April 15, 2000}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/trespasser-to-intrude-on-gamers/1100-2465285/|title=Trespasser to Intrude on Gamers|date=October 22, 1998|work=GameSpot|access-date=July 22, 2016}}</ref> taking place a year after the film's events. Players control Anne, the sole survivor of a plane crash that leaves her stranded on a remote island with genetically engineered [[dinosaur]]s. It features the voices of [[Minnie Driver]] as Anne and [[Richard Attenborough]] as [[John Hammond (character)|John Hammond]], reprising his role from the film series.

The [[game engine]] of ''Trespasser'' was advanced for its time and required a fast and powerful computer to adequately display the game's detailed graphics without [[pixelation]] artifacts.<ref name=ign/> Upon release, the game received mixed to negative reviews and disappointed many critics,<ref name=pcgamer/> with ''[[GameSpot]]'' declaring it "the worst game of 1998".<ref name="worst1998">[https://web.archive.org/web/20100116003515/http://www.gamespot.com/features/awards1998/dubious2.html Worst Game of the Year – GameSpot.com]</ref> The mixed reception is believed to have been caused by rushing the development to reach the 1998 release date and the game's overly ambitious and advanced nature.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.joystiq.com/2014/05/15/jurassic-park-trespasser-remake-aims-to-make-good-on-long-lost/ | title = Jurassic Park: Trespasser remake aims to make good on long-lost promises | publisher = joystiq.com | access-date = March 14, 2015}}</ref>

==Plot==
[[John Hammond (character)|John Hammond]], a rich industrialist, used his wealth to assemble a scientific team that cloned dinosaurs. An amusement park showcasing his biological attractions fails when the dinosaurs escape.<ref name=manual/> While Jurassic Park was built on [[Isla Nublar]], off the coast of Costa Rica, the animals were raised at an alternate location, [[Isla Sorna]], also named [[Site B]].<ref name=gamepro>{{cite magazine|author=Olafson|first=Peter|date=November 24, 2000|title=Review: Trespasser (PC)|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/773/trespasser/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211005238/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/773/trespasser/|archive-date=December 11, 2008|access-date=January 27, 2008|magazine=[[GamePro]]|publisher=[[IDG Entertainment]]}}</ref> ''Trespasser'' takes place a year after the events of ''The Lost World: Jurassic Park'', where the general public learned about the existence of Jurassic Park.<ref name=manual>Trespasser Manual. 1998. [[DreamWorks Interactive]]. p5.</ref>

The player controls Anne, whose plane has crashed on the way to Costa Rica.<ref name=wired>{{cite magazine|author=Alderman|first=John|date=March 4, 1997|title=Jurassic Game Flouts Hyper-Real Physic |url=https://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/1997/03/2379|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211103925/http://www.wired.com/culture/lifestyle/news/1997/03/2379|archive-date=December 11, 2008|access-date=January 27, 2008|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]]|publisher=CondéNet}}</ref> Anne awakens on the shores of an island, apparently the sole survivor of the crash, and proceeds to explore.<ref name=manual/> Anne learns she is on Site B. Pursued by dinosaurs, Anne makes use of weapons left behind to defend herself. She follows a monorail track into the island interior. After recovering security cards from an InGen town and rebooting a computer to activate a mountain-top radio tower, Anne proceeds to the large mountain and ascends. At the summit, Anne contacts the [[United States Navy]] on an emergency channel. After defeating the Alpha ''[[Velociraptor]]'' and its tribe that lives atop the mountain, she is rescued by helicopter. Anne returns to her apartment and listens to her messages, including one from her friend asking where Anne's been and says she had better have "a real good excuse"...immediately afterward, Anne tosses a velociraptor claw on the table near the machine.

==Gameplay==
The entire game is played through the eyes of Anne (voiced by Driver).<ref name="an"/> There are only three [[Cutscene|cutscenes]], one that begins the game and one that concludes the game, and an introductory video. There is occasional orchestral music, scored by [[Bill Brown (composer)|Bill Brown]]. As she traverses the island, Anne will often talk to herself or remember clips of [[John Hammond (Jurassic Park character)|John Hammond]]'s memoirs (voiced by [[Richard Attenborough]]) describing the creation (and downfall) of Jurassic Park.<ref name="gamepro"/> There are no time limits or difficulty settings to adjust and only the first level has text prompts to aid players that are new to the game.

[[File:Jptrespasserscreenshot.jpg|thumb|Screenshot showing a Triceratops.]]

This game features no [[Heads-up display (video games)|HUD]].<ref name="pcgamer"/> Anne's health is represented by a heart-shaped tattoo on her breast that the player can look down to. The ink of the tattoo is filled in depending on the amount of damage she has taken; when it is filled completely and a chain appears around it, Anne dies.<ref name=av>{{cite web |url=http://www.avault.com/reviews/pc/trespasser |title=Trespasser: Adrenaline Vault|first=Emil|last=Pagliarulo |access-date=January 27, 2008 |date=October 30, 1998 |work=The Adrenaline Vault |publisher=NewWorld.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211082210/http://www.avault.com/reviews/pc/trespasser/|archive-date=December 11, 2008}}</ref> Anne's health regenerates quickly over time as long as she does not take further damage. To track weapon ammunition without a HUD, players must rely on Anne verbally describing weapons she picks up, and she weighs the weapon in her hand and says phrases like "About eight shots", "Feels full" and "Hasn't been used", along with verbally counting down ammunition as she fires a weapon.<ref name="pcgamer"/><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Justice|first=Kim|date=May 17, 2021|title=Jurassic Park: Trespasser - A Failure That Stood The Test Of Time {{!}} Kim Justice|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsbmzOs-iJk|access-date=May 18, 2021|website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>{{unreliable source|date=October 2023}}

By pressing a key, Anne will extend her arm out into the game world, allowing the player to pick up, swing, push and throw objects. This allows the player to create improvised weaponry, for instance: picking up a large rock off the ground and hitting an enemy with it. Anne can move her arm in any direction, allowing the player to get a different feel of use for each weapon. Anne can only carry two items at once and when bumping into things will often drop items.<ref name=gamepro/>

In addition to picking objects off the ground to use as weapons, Anne can find and use various other armaments including key cards and diskettes. In situations requiring button input (such as keypads), Anne will extend one of her fingers. In keeping with the "hyper realistic" vision of the game, firearms have no cross-hairs. The player aligns the gun by adjusting Anne's wrist and then manually moving her arm to aim.<ref name=pcgamer/> Anne can carry up to two weapons at a time. Weapons have been made to incorporate realistic recoil, as if being held with two hands. Once each firearm is empty, it can be used as a club when swung. Empty weapons cannot be reloaded. All weapons must be discarded at the end of each level. Hints and keypad codes appear in unexpected places on walls, often in a level or two before they are needed.

==Development==
The game was initiated by two former employees of [[Looking Glass Technologies]], [[Seamus Blackley]] and [[Austin Grossman]]. With the film ''The Lost World: Jurassic Park'' expected to be a success and after securing the movie license, the pair approached several movie animation groups before signing with [[DreamWorks Interactive]]. [[Adobe Photoshop]]&nbsp;5 and [[3D Studio Max]] were used to produce the game. A 3D model of the island was built and digitally scanned to construct the game environment.<ref name=gamedev>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/programming/postmortem-dreamworks-interactive-s-i-trespasser-i- |title=Postmortem: DreamWorks Interactive's Trespasser|first=Richard |last=Wyckoff |access-date=October 5, 2023 |date=May 14, 1999 |work=[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]]}}</ref> [[John Williams]] was contracted to compose music exclusively for the game.<ref name=NGen34>{{cite magazine |title=NG Alphas: Trespasser |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=35|publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=November 1997|pages=58–62}}</ref>

''Trespasser'' went severely over-budget several times throughout its development. Originally, the game was to be released in the fall of 1997.<ref name=wired/><ref name=CGW>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_152.pdf |title=Primevel Prey|last=Wilson|first=Johnny L.|date=March 1997|magazine=Computer Gaming World|pages=54{{ndash}}56}}</ref> However, due to a number of problems and how advanced the game was becoming, the project was delayed by a year. The rush to release the game caused many features to either be cut, or left unfinished and unpolished.<ref name=gamedev/> Anne's left arm was removed from the game due to difficulties coding the behaviour of both arms together.<ref name="geek.com"/> A late shift in development effectively changed the game's genre from [[survival horror]] to action shooter, resulting in many complaints upon release. Additional problems were caused by the lack of experienced management and the use of artists who were unfamiliar with basic game development processes and [[3D modeling]].<ref name=wired/> Art director Terry Izumi's background, for example, consisted of being a designer for [[Tomorrowland (Disney Parks)|Tomorrowland]], and George Edwards was a veteran animator of [[Disney]] films.<ref name=NGen34/>

After developing for over two years, DreamWorks Interactive informed the development team in April 1998 that as part of a deal with AMD, ''Trespasser'' would need to release in October of that year even though Blackley estimated ''Trespasser'' needed at least another year of development to be release-ready.<ref name=":0" />{{unreliable source|date=October 2023}} The team rushed the remainder of development, and ''Trespasser'' released as an unfinished game set in a very large and open outdoor environment.<ref name="geek.com" /> These issues were also caused by the game development starting before the [[3dfx Interactive#Voodoo Graphics PCI|3dfx Voodoo 1]] moved towards 3D hardware. As a result, some techniques, including [[bump mapping]] and image caching, were incompatible with [[graphics processing unit]]s. Near the end of development the programmers developed a renderer that drew bump mapped objects in software and the terrain in hardware, but most objects were bump mapped so the speed advantages of hardware acceleration were negated. ''Trespasser'' used many textures for its mip levels and image cache, more than the most highly lauded gaming card of the time, the [[Voodoo2]], could handle, and the game used the lower resolution textures in hardware mode instead of the high resolution ones available in software mode. This resulted in the game running faster and in some ways  looking better in software mode, while running in hardware mode meant the game ran slower and had more blurry looking textures.<ref name=gamedev/>

The ''Trespasser'' [[game engine|engine]] contained several features not normally seen in game engines at the time. In 1998, it was one of the first engines to successfully portray outdoor environments full of hundreds of trees.{{citation needed|date=December 2019}} It accomplished this by [[Rendering (computer graphics)|rendering]] terrain to an offscreen cache and then only redrawing objects when the player character moves significantly.<ref name=NGen34/> Computers in 1998 could not render the complex environments it generated. The terrain modeler was created by Mark Langerak, formerly head of development at [[Sega Europe]].<ref name=NGen34/> In addition, the ''Trespasser'' engine featured the first game world to be completely influenced by [[classical mechanics]] and was also the first game to use [[ragdoll physics]].<ref name=comp>{{cite journal |url=http://www.computer.org/portal/site/computer/menuitem.5d61c1d591162e4b0ef1bd108bcd45f3/index.jsp?&pName=computer_level1_article&TheCat=1070&path=computer/homepage/0806&file=entertain.xml&xsl=article.xsl&;jsessionid=JPSQjbR65Kp25cTc1X1kTCXGNFmcfTyYyYTT4C1jbVcY1qBpXwDK!417175916|title=Why Graphics Power Is Revolutionizing Physics |first=Michael |last=Macedonia |access-date=February 9, 2008 |date=August 2006 |journal=[[Computer (magazine)|Computer]] |volume=39 |issue=8 |pages=91–92 |publisher=[[Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers]]|doi=10.1109/MC.2006.287 |s2cid=27895900}}</ref> One of the most advanced features of the rendering engine was the ability to render objects like trees and rocks as [[2D computer graphics|2D]] [[Sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]], which, when close enough to Anne, would be replaced by their [[3D computer graphics|3D]] counterpart.<ref name=gamedev/> Elements using this technique are known as "impostors". This often led to an ugly "popping" where a low-resolution object suddenly "pops" into 3D.

''Trespasser'' features a robust [[Game physics|physics]] [[Physics engine|system]], but instead of accurate, per-polygon collisions, ''Trespasser'' uses a "Box System" where every object in the game acts as if it is encased in an invisible box. Additionally, ''Trespasser's'' physics are based on the Penalty Force Method, in which, when two objects collide, rather than stopping movement the two objects push away from one another until they are no longer colliding. In the final release the dinosaurs were disallowed from making jump attacks and entering buildings to avoid [[collision detection|interpenetration]], a glitch where two objects will collide and then become stuck inside one another.<ref name=gamedev/>

Andrew Grant was ''Trespasser's'' chief [[Artificial intelligence (video games)|artificial intelligence]] programmer.<ref name=cgw>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecst.csuchico.edu/~amk/foo/AIGames/links/Creatures.htm|title=Creating Intelligent Creatures|publisher=PennWell Corporation|access-date=February 11, 2008|work=Computer Graphics World}}</ref> Every animation in ''Trespasser'' is done using [[inverse kinematics]]. No animation in the game is pre-animated; every movement of every dinosaur is generated automatically through their artificial intelligence. Due to the rushed nature of development, this feature resulted in awkward movement as the dinosaurs performed unnaturally.<ref name=pcgamer>{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=164062&site=pcg |title=PC Feature Long Play: Trespasser |author=Craig Pearson |access-date=April 12, 2014 |date=May 16, 2007 |work=[[PC Gamer|PC Gamer UK]]|publisher=Future Publishing Limited |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624090605/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=164062&site=pcg |archive-date=June 24, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Trespasser'' was designed to have a complex artificial intelligence routine, giving each creature on the island its own set of emotions and the possibility of dinosaurs fighting each other.<ref name=pcgamer/> Dinosaurs would react to the player differently depending on what mood they were in.<ref name=cgw/> However, system bugs in the artificial intelligence routines made it so that dinosaurs would switch between mood-based actions so quickly that they would stop moving and acting. A quick fix was hard-coded into the game that maximized the anger and hunger emotions of carnivorous dinosaurs and left all other emotions at zero.<ref name=":0" />{{unreliable source|date=October 2023}}<ref name=gamedev/>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 57%<ref name="gr">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/199105-trespasser/index.html |title=Trespasser for PC |access-date=November 1, 2012 |work=[[GameRankings]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]}}</ref>
| Allgame = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="allgame"/>
| CVG = 1/5&nbsp;(magazine)<ref name="cvg-mag" /><br />1/10&nbsp;(website)<ref name="cvg"/>
| Edge = 2/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Trespasser |author=Edge staff |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |issue=67 |date=January 1999}}</ref>
| GI = 6.5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Trespasser |author=Paul Bergren |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=[[GameStop|FuncoLand]] |issue=70 |date=February 1999 |page=50}}</ref>
| GamePro = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="gamepro"/>
| GameRev = B−<ref name="gamerev">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32853-so-pretty-sooo-slow-review |title=Trespasser Review |access-date=April 12, 2014 |date=December 1998 |author=Calvin Hubble |website=[[Game Revolution]] |publisher=[[CraveOnline]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503095325/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/trespasser |archive-date=May 3, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| GSpot = 3.9/10<ref name=gspot>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/trespasser-review/1900-2535286/ |title=Trespasser Review |access-date=April 12, 2014 |author=Elliot Chin |date=November 19, 1998 |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref>
| IGN = 4.7/10<ref name=ign>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/1998/10/31/trespasser |title=Trespasser |access-date=April 12, 2014 |author=Tal Blevins |date=October 30, 1998 |website=[[IGN]] |publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]}}</ref>
| NGen = {{rating|2|5}}<ref name="NG"/>
| PCGUS = 62%<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/22.html |title=Trespasser |author=Todd Vaughn |access-date=April 12, 2014 |date=January 1999 |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future US]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000229204010/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/22.html |archive-date=February 29, 2000 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| PCZone = 70%<ref name="pczone">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=3585&site=cvg |title=PC Review: Trespasser |author=Richie Shoemaker |access-date=April 12, 2014 |year=1999 |magazine=[[PC Zone]] |publisher=Future plc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208231920/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=3585&site=cvg |archive-date=February 8, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]]''
| rev1Score = {{Rating|3|4}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/trespasser.html |title='Trespasser' the next Jurassic Adventure |author=James Bottorff |access-date=April 12, 2014 |year=1998 |newspaper=[[The Cincinnati Enquirer]] |publisher=[[Gannett Company]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010428143537/http://www.cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/trespasser.html |archive-date=April 28, 2001 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| PCA = 5/10<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Trespasser |author=Salmon, Mike |magazine=[[PC Accelerator]] |publisher=Imagine Media |volume=2 |issue=5 |date=January 1999 |pages=80–81}}</ref>
}}
Before the release of the game, it was announced that ''Trespasser'' would revolutionize PC gaming, however reviews after release were mostly negative. ''Trespasser'' was a critical and commercial failure, selling about 50,000 copies.<ref name="geek.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.geek.com/articles/games/jurassic-park-trespasser-the-revolutionary-game-that-never-was-2008128/ |title=Jurassic Park: Trespasser – the revolutionary game that never was |author=Jim Hatley |access-date=February 8, 2008 |date=December 8, 2008 |website=Geek.com |archive-date=December 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211010252/http://www.geek.com/articles/games/jurassic-park-trespasser-the-revolutionary-game-that-never-was-2008128/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Many reviewers disliked the poor graphics performance on even the fastest graphically accelerated PCs available upon the game's release, but some praised the title's originality and scale. Despite the anticipation over the many "first attempts at" within the game's original development scope, the reality did not match the hype.<ref name="an">{{cite web |url=http://www.activewin.com/reviews/software/games/t/trespasser.shtml |title=ActiveWindows – Trespasser Review |author=Byron Hinson |access-date=February 9, 2008 |publisher=Active Network, Inc}}</ref><ref name="comp"/>

''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' rated it two stars out of five, and stated that "the dinosaurs are amazing looking and have great AI. There are even times when you can see how, with a fast enough processor, this could have been fun. In the end, though, it's clear that ''Trespasser'' had a reach that exceeded its grasp."<ref name="NG">{{cite magazine|title=Finals|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=50|publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]]|date=February 1999|page=106}}</ref>

Alex Huhtala of ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' gave the game a score of 1 out of 5, criticising the "technically impressive" in-game physics for making simple actions frustrating to perform, and concluding "''Trespasser'' is possibly the worst game I've ever played."<ref name="cvg-mag">{{cite magazine |last=Huhtala |first=Alex |date=February 1999|issue=207 |page=45 |title=Trespasser|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |location=London|publisher=EMAP}}</ref> A review by Kim Randell published on the ''Computer and Video Games'' website in 2001 called the game "a dog's dinner" and gave it a score of 1 out of 10. It described elements of the physics engine, such as Anne's difficulty holding onto items without dropping them, as wholly unrealistic.<ref name=cvg>{{cite web |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=8366 |title=PC Review: Trespasser |author=Kim Randell |access-date=April 12, 2014 |date=August 15, 2001|website=[[Computer and Video Games]] |publisher=Future plc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624090605/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=8366 |archive-date=June 24, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> A ''[[GameSpot]]'' review by Elliot Chin described it as the most frustrating game he had ever played with "boring gameplay and annoying bugs". He lambasted the needlessly complicated physics engine, levels being over-filled with box-stacking puzzles, and a clumsy arm interface.<ref name=gspot/> One reviewer said it had the worst [[clipping (computer graphics)|clipping]] he had ever seen with another reviewer finding the game experienced slowdown and frame rate drops.<ref name=cvg/><ref name=allgame/> Other complaints included exploration being tiresome due to slow movement speed,<ref name="cvg-mag"/><ref name=av/><ref name=gspot/> landscapes being barren with few dinosaurs,<ref name=gspot/> graphical glitches,<ref name=cvg/><ref name=ign/> and poor voice acting.<ref name="cvg-mag"/><ref name=cvg/><ref name=gspot/>

An ''[[IGN]]'' review was more favourable, describing the plot as "super-intriguing" with high praise for the realism of the game's physics engine. While deriding the blocky and heavily pixelated environment that offered limited interaction, and the erratic and impossible arm movements, the reviewer said the dinosaurs were convincing and "looked and moved really well" and concluded the game was badly implemented but still ground-breaking.<ref name=ign/> ''[[Game Revolution]]'' described the game's graphical engine as gorgeous with impressive real-time shadows and good water and particle physics. On the downside, it said the gameplay is very basic with the usual "key-finding, enemy-killing, button-pushing" of the FPS genre, and that when there was more than one dinosaur on-screen the game slowed considerably.<ref name=gamerev/> An ''[[AllGame]]'' reviewer didn't like the bugs and graphical glitches or the slow [[frame rate]] but concluded the game was a "ground breaking title that offers some great thrills, challenges, puzzles, and rewarding gameplay".<ref name=allgame>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14402&tab=review|title=Trespasser - Review |author=Shawn Sackenheim |access-date=November 15, 2014 |website=[[Allgame]] |publisher=[[All Media Network]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115043401/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=14402&tab=review |archive-date=November 15, 2014}}</ref> ''[[PC Gamer|PC Gamer UK]]'' thought the game got the atmospherics right.<ref name="pcgamer"/> ''[[PC Zone]]'' felt the game could be quite frightening but that there were too many guns scattered around the island.<ref name=pczone/> An ''Adrenaline Vault'' review liked the game's originality and some tense moments, but disliked the slow treks, the lack of a real inventory system, the frustrating interface and there being too many guns lying around. He found the arm manipulation cumbersome and frustrating during the heat of battle, as it requires up to five buttons to be pressed.<ref name=av/>

''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' awarded the game "Coaster of the Year".<ref name=cgwawards>{{cite magazine | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000303011219/http://www.gamespot.com/features/cgw_awards98/index.html | url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/cgw_awards98/index.html | title=''Computer Gaming World''{{'}}s 1999 Premier Awards | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | archive-date=March 3, 2000 | access-date=November 21, 2010 | url-status=dead }}</ref> ''GameSpot'' included ''Trespasser'' as one of nominees for the title of the Most Disappointing Game of the Year ("losing" to ''[[Star Wars: Rebellion (video game)|Star Wars Rebellion]]'')<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100125120035/http://www.gamespot.com/features/awards1998/dubious.html Most Disappointing Game of the Year – GameSpot.com]</ref> and awarded it the Worst Game of the Year (PC), commenting: "Of all the games released this year, none was as ill-received and terrible as Trespasser. No game was implemented as poorly, and no game squandered its potential as much. No game played as awfully. (...) There's one thing we won't forget: Trespasser was undoubtedly the worst game of 1998."<ref name="worst1998"/>

== Fan community ==
Although ''Trespasser'' was a critical and commercial failure, substantial amateur interest in the game persisted for years, coalescing into online fan communities such as the Trespasser Hacking Society and Trespasser Secrets, both now defunct, and TresCom, which remains active as of 2024.<ref name=":0" />{{unreliable source|date=October 2023}} Members of these communities developed [[fan-made]] [[software]] to examine, preview, and eventually edit ''Trespasser'', such as the ''TresEd'' level editor.<ref name="gamepro" /><ref name="wired" /><ref name="av" /> The fan community was also able to acquire the original [[source code]]<ref>{{cite web|author=Bailey|first=Kat|date=May 15, 2014|title=Jurassic Park: Trespasser remake aims to make good on long-lost promises|url=https://www.engadget.com/2014/05/15/jurassic-park-trespasser-remake-aims-to-make-good-on-long-lost/|access-date=March 7, 2018|website=[[Engadget]] ([[Joystiq]])|publisher=[[Oath Inc.]]|quote=The community has even managed to get hold of the original source code, which they've set to work modifying.}}</ref> to create [[Mod (video gaming)|modifications]] and [[unofficial patch]]es.<ref>[http://www.trescom.org/patches/ Patches] on trescom.org</ref> For example, ''Trespasser CE'' allows players to play the original ''Trespasser'' game at higher resolutions and frame rates without experiencing crashes.<ref name=":0" />{{unreliable source|date=October 2023}} In 2014, based on this available source code, a code review was done by Fabien Sanglard which revealed several design aspects of the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fabiensanglard.net/trespasser/index.php |title=Jurassic Park: Trespasser CG Source Code Review|date=June 10, 2014 |access-date=August 13, 2014 |first=Fabien |last=Sanglard |publisher=fabiensanglard.net}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
Despite lackluster reviews, ''Trespasser'' went on to influence game developers who were interested in the game's ideas and flawed but innovative mechanics. The game's unique control scheme inspired at least two indie titles, ''[[Surgeon Simulator 2013]]'' and the original ''[[Octodad]],'' whose developers have referred to ''Trespasser'' as a source of inspiration.<ref>{{cite web|last=Rose|first=Mike|title=The blissfully awkward controls of Surgeon Simulator 2013|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/the-blissfully-awkward-controls-of-i-surgeon-simulator-2013-i-|access-date=October 5, 2023|website=[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]]|date=April 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Rose|first=Mike|title=How Octodad turned a group of strangers into best friends|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/disciplines/how-i-octodad-i-turned-a-group-of-strangers-into-best-friends|access-date=October 5, 2023|website=[[Game Developer (website)|Game Developer]]|date=January 29, 2014}}</ref> ''Trespasser''<nowiki/>'s outdoor level design also partly inspired the use of outdoor environments in level design for FPS games such as ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and the ''[[Far Cry]]'' series.<ref name=":0" />{{unreliable source|date=October 2023}} [[Id Software]] cofounder [[John Carmack]] also cited ''Trespasser''<nowiki/>'s use of voiceover narration for storytelling as one inspiration for ''[[Doom 3]]'' eschewing cutscenes in favor of audio logs for its storytelling.<ref name=":0" />{{unreliable source|date=October 2023}}

Despite its failures, ''Trespasser'' is generally recognized as the first game to incorporate a full physics engine.<ref>{{cite web | url =  https://www.engadget.com/2014/05/15/jurassic-park-trespasser-remake-aims-to-make-good-on-long-lost/ | title=  Jurassic Park: Trespasser remake aims to make good on long-lost promises | first = Kat | last = Bailey | date = May 15, 2014 | access-date = January 4, 2020 | work = [[Engadget]] }}</ref> [[Gabe Newell]] cited ''Trespasser'' as influential to ''[[Half-Life 2]]'''s physics, though its failure caused him and the rest of [[Valve Corporation|Valve]] to worry about the potential for negative comparisons between the two.<ref name=":0" />{{unreliable source|date=October 2023}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Valve Pres. Gabe Newell Interview| url=https://www.ign.com/videos/2007/05/21/half-life-2-orange-box-x360-valve-pres-gabe-newell-interview|website=IGN| date=May 21, 2007|access-date=February 28, 2018}}</ref> In September 2019, ''Trespasser'' was spotlighted in the 172nd episode of the webseries ''[[Angry Video Game Nerd]]'', with Seamus Blackley making a guest appearance to discuss the game's development.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Rolfe|first1=James|title=Jurassic Park: Trespasser (PC) - Angry Video Game Nerd (AVGN) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15pi8vrUx9c |website=YouTube |date=September 25, 2019 |accessdate=September 26, 2019}}</ref>

Around 2012, as [[Steven Spielberg]] was preparing to revive the ''[[Jurassic Park]]'' franchise, he contacted Blackley to prepare concepts for a new video game and sequel to ''Trespasser''. Blackley developed a game concept titled ''Jurassic World'', in which the dinosaurs from Isla Sorna escaped and forced humans to reevaluate their place in the world. Due to a management change at [[Universal Pictures]], the game project was cancelled and Blackley turned the assets over to [[Frank Marshall (filmmaker)|Frank Marshall]], who produced the 2015 film ''[[Jurassic World]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/the-creator-of-the-xbox-planned-a-sequel-to-trespasser-that-eventually-became-jurassic-world/ | title = The creator of the Xbox planned a sequel to Trespasser that eventually became Jurassic World | first= Rick | last=  Lane | date = July 26, 2022 | accessdate = July 26, 2022 | work = [[PC Gamer]] }}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Video games}}
*[[Jurassic Park video games]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* {{moby game|id=/trespasser-the-lost-world-jurassic-park}}

{{Jurassic Park video games}}

[[Category:1998 video games]]
[[Category:Action-adventure games]]
[[Category:Commercial video games with freely available source code]]
[[Category:Electronic Arts games]]
[[Category:DreamWorks Interactive games]]
[[Category:First-person shooters]]
[[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]]
[[Category:Jurassic Park video games|Trespasser]]
[[Category:Video games based on adaptations|Trespasser]]
[[Category:Science fiction video games]]
[[Category:Survival video games]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Bill Brown]]
[[Category:Video games set in Costa Rica]]
[[Category:Video games set on fictional islands]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Windows-only games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]