Designasaurus
| Company type | Educational software |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Ezra Sidran |
| Products | Instructional dinosaur-themed game |
| Parent | Britannica Software |
Designasaurus is an instructional game created by Ezra Sidran and released by Britannica Software. Launched in 1988 for systems such as Amiga, Apple II, Apple IIGS, Commodore 64, and MS-DOS, the title centers on designing a personalized dinosaur and guiding it through three key challenges: "Walk-a-Dinosaur," "Build-a-Dinosaur," and "Print-a-Dinosaur."
Development
In 1987, Ezra Sidran, freshly graduated in computer animation from Marycrest College, entered into a contract with Britannica Software to produce an educational dinosaur-themed game. Sidran prioritized factual accuracy in the game's content over pure entertainment. He enlisted fellow animation students to assist with the visual elements. Developer Edward Isenberg characterized the game as a simple 2D, low-resolution experience where players steer their dinosaur across the screen to evade threats.
Gameplay
This program integrates learning with interactive play by enabling users to construct dinosaurs using skeletal parts from the American Museum of Natural History's collection. Each assembled dinosaur is evaluated for its chances of survival. Players then maneuver their creation within its habitat to help it persist. Upon finishing, users receive a Dinosaur Hall of Fame certificate and gain access to 12 printable dinosaur illustrations suitable for items such as t-shirts.
Reception
The Software Publishers Association honored Designasaurus as the "best education software of 1987." At the 1988 CODiE Awards, it secured titles for "Best Educational Program" and "Best Pre-school or Primary School Program." By November 1989, Designasaurus alongside UMS I had earned Intergalactic $5.5 million over an 18-month span. Sidran mentioned that royalties were distributed among staff through a "gross-sharing" arrangement.
Kathryn Carrington from the Hartford Courant described the game as "disappointing" despite its accolades. In contrast, Richard Cobbett of PC Gamer commended the combination of educational value and fun gameplay, highlighting features like printable dinosaurs and progressively difficult stages.
Later releases
The follow-up title, Designasaurus II, was released in 1990 for MS-DOS, featuring expert consultation to ensure accurate placement of dinosaurs within their historical timelines. In 2012, Sidran and Isenberg launched a Kickstarter campaign aimed at financing a modernized version of the game.