Dinosaur Simulator — Your first steps in the game
About
OverviewDinosaur Simulator drops you into the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods as a living dinosaur trying to survive a world full of predators, hunger, and thirst. This guide covers picking your dinosaur, staying alive, managing DNA, and earning the game's survival badges.
What is on this page
Contents
Your first steps in the game
StepWhen you first load in, take a moment to practice moving, attacking, and reading your status bars before chasing other dinosaurs. The game hands out DNA codes periodically — redeeming one right away gives you a free head start on unlocking creatures.
- Pick a dinosaur choose your starting creature and decide whether you want to play as a carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore.
- Learn the controls W/A/S/D moves you, Left Click attacks, Right Click grabs, and Spacebar lets you climb or escape a grab.
- Redeem a promo code open the code input screen and enter a working code to collect a free DNA bonus.
- Find food and water locate something to eat and drink so you understand how the hunger and thirst bars work.
- Check the map press M to open the map and get a sense of the area around you.
DS450kLIKES
10k DNA
060515
Twitter Ornithomimus
115454
Chickenosaurus
AMERICA
Freedom Eagle Balaur
Carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore
Table
The game tracks your survival streak separately for each diet type, and the badges go up to 100 consecutive days per type. Think about which playstyle suits you before committing.
| Carnivore | you hunt other creatures for food, but other carnivores will come after you too. |
| Herbivore | you eat plants rather than hunting, but carnivores treat you as prey, making survival a constant challenge. |
| Omnivore | you can eat from both food sources, though the badge descriptions note that nearly everything in the world is willing to attack you. |
Staying alive — hunger, thirst, and health
Tips
The game tracks health, hunger, and thirst at the same time. Letting any one of them bottom out ends your run, so check them regularly rather than waiting for a crisis.
- Watch all three bars — health, hunger, and thirst can each kill you if ignored.
- Sleep with the Z key to rest when you are in a safe spot.
- Use the T key to track, and the M key to find your way around the map.
Earning and spending DNA
Summary
You can collect DNA through normal gameplay and through promo codes. The game description confirms there are more than 170 creatures available, and skins are also purchasable to change your dinosaur's appearance.
- Primary use unlock new creatures from the game's roster of 170-plus options.
- Secondary use buy distinctive skins to change how your dinosaur looks.
- Promo codes each code can only be redeemed once, so use them as soon as you find them.
- Code schedule the next code unlocks at a set number of likes, so checking back regularly pays off.
Controls at a glance
Table
These are all the controls the game lists. Some are easy to miss, especially the AI commands and the pack tools.
| Key | What it does |
|---|---|
| W / A / S / D | Move |
| Left Click | Attack |
| Right Click | Grab |
| Spacebar | Climb / escape a grab / slow flight speed |
| 1 | AOE attack |
| R / G / C | Roar / Growl / Call — also commands AI to Attack, Rest, or Follow |
| T | Tracking |
| M | Toggle map |
| Z | Sleep |
| X | Lay egg |
| Q / E | Fly or swim up / down |
| H | Switch between head and body point of view |
| Y | Open idle selection wheel |
| 2 / 3 | Increase or decrease field of view |
| MMB | Ping a location |
| U | Hide or show the UI |
| Shift + F | Toggle freecam |
| P | Prompt Partybox purchase |
Surviving long enough for the streak badges
Check
The game awards badges at 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, and 100 consecutive survival days for each diet type. Dying resets your streak, so the habits below are worth building early.
- Use the Call command (C) to coordinate AI companions when playing with others.
- Form a pack with other players the game description explicitly encourages teaming up to survive.
The three time periods
TipsThe game spans the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods, each with different dinosaurs and landscapes.
- The Triassic is the earliest period and features earlier-era dinosaurs.
- The Jurassic introduces larger and more varied creatures.
- The Cretaceous brings in the most recent dinosaurs.
Glossary
Glossary- DNA
- The main in-game currency, used to unlock new creatures and purchase skins.
- Promo code
- A redeemable code that grants a DNA bonus; each code only works once per account.
- Survival streak
- The number of consecutive in-game days you have stayed alive without dying, tracked separately for each diet type.
- Diet type
- Whether your chosen dinosaur eats meat (carnivore), plants (herbivore), or both (omnivore).
- AOE attack
- An area-of-effect attack triggered with the 1 key.
- Pack
- A group of players who team up to survive together, supported by the game's AI command system.
Common questions
FAQHow do I use the AI command keys?
Press R to roar, G to growl, or C to call. Those same keys also tell any AI companions to attack, rest, or follow you, which is useful when playing in a pack.
When is the next promo code released?
The game page announces the next code at a specific like milestone. Check the game's page to see the current target and how close it is.
Game updates can change what is on this page. If you spot something, get in touch and let us know.
