Appaloosa Interactive, using their experience from developing Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future, began work on what was believed to be an original IP in 2003. The game was announced under the title "Sole Predator" in March 2004, but it turned out that this was actually a placeholder idea to be used while Majesco negotiated to acquire the video game license for Jaws. The deal would successfully go forward five months later as the game was re-revealed as Jaws Unleashed. Most of Appaloosa's work on Sole Predator, including the dismemberment system, was carried over to Jaws Unleashed, while features such as local and online multiplayer modes were scrapped.