Capcom's latest trademark filing for Dino Crisis in Japan might seem promising, but history suggest it's best to keep expectations low.
After being registered on March 4, 2025 (as Gematsu pointed out), and revealed on March 11, the trademark has led to renewed speculation about whether the company is finally bringing back the survival horror classic or if it's just a defensive move to protect intellectual property with no actual game in the works.
For those who've been following since day one, a Dino Crisis return sounds thrilling. The series first appeared in 1999 and won people over with intense atmosphere, survival features, and its spine-chilling dinosaur enemies.
However, after Dino Crisis 3 launched in 2003 and took the franchise in an unpopular direction, Capcom largely abandoned it. Despite consistent demand from players, especially in fan polls where Dino Crisis ranked as one of the most requested revivals, Capcom has remained silent on any potential new entry.
Trademark renewals are common in gaming, usually to keep legal control over a franchise instead of hinting at a new project. Capcom made a point of renewing the Dino Crisis trademark back in 2019, but nothing came of it.
Some industry insiders argue that Japan's trademark laws make this filing slightly more interesting, as companies typically can't refile without at least some intention to use the property. We still don't know if the plan is for a full-scale game, a remastered collection, or simply digital re-releases.
What's even more intriguing is that Dino Crisis has come up in Capcom's internal discussions. A past survey conducted by the company revealed strong demand for a revival, and recent Capcom projects suggest the company is more open to revisiting classic franchises.
Onimusha's return and the success of the Resident Evil remake highlight the market for modernized takes on older IPs. If Dino Crisis were to return, it could be built with Capcom's latest tech, perhaps the REX Engine, to deliver lifelike dinosaurs and immersive environments.
Skeptics point to statements from Shinji Mikami last year, the creator of Dino Crisis, who previously admitted being surprised by the continued fan demand for a new title.
He suggested that Monster Hunter has largely filled the niche for dinosaur-based action games, so a Dino Crisis revival isn't really necessary. For now, the gaming community is left waiting.
Capcom has yet to make an official statement about the trademark filing, and until they do, it's impossible to know whether this will lead to anything significant.