New Uncharted Game Reportedly in Development at Naughty Dog

Naughty Dog is reportedly developing a new Uncharted game, and the project is said to be a new entry rather than a remake of the original Drake’s Fortune. According to MP1st, the game is being led by Shaun Escayg, who previously directed Uncharted: The Lost Legacy and has deep creative history with the franchise. VGC reports that it has partially corroborated the claim through its own sources, adding more weight to the idea that Uncharted may finally be returning after years of silence.

The report also claims that Nathan Drake will appear in some capacity, although it remains unclear whether he would be the main protagonist, a supporting character, or part of the story in a more limited role. That distinction matters because Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End closed Nathan and Elena’s journey in a very deliberate way, while its ending introduced their daughter Cassie Drake as a natural future path for the series. A new Uncharted could therefore bring Nathan back without undoing his ending, especially if the story shifts toward Cassie or another lead while using Drake as an older mentor figure.

Shaun Escayg is a logical name for the project if the report is accurate. The Lost Legacy proved that Uncharted could work without Nathan Drake at the center, placing Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross in the lead while keeping the same cinematic action, traversal, puzzles and treasure hunting identity. That experience makes Escayg a strong fit for a potential new chapter that needs to respect the franchise’s legacy while giving PlayStation a reason to move beyond nostalgia.

The timing is also important. Naughty Dog’s confirmed next major project remains Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, the studio’s new PlayStation 5 franchise that has been in development since 2020. Naughty Dog Confirms 2 New The Last of Us Projects and Full Intergalactic Reveal for 2027, the studio has already made clear that Intergalactic will receive its full reveal in 2027, while 2 new The Last of Us projects remain in very early development. If this Uncharted report is correct, Naughty Dog’s internal roadmap may be much broader than players expected.

The rumor also stands in contrast to Naughty Dog’s previous public position. Neil Druckmann said in 2023 that the studio had moved on from Uncharted after putting a final brushstroke on Nathan Drake’s story. That statement made sense at the time, especially with the studio focused on The Last of Us, the cancelled online project and its new science fiction franchise. A return now would suggest that either the right creative pitch finally arrived or that Sony sees Uncharted as too valuable to remain inactive for another generation.

"We’re able to put our final brushstroke on that story and say that we’re done."
— Quote by: Neil Druckmann

For now, this should remain firmly in rumor territory. Sony has not announced Uncharted 5, Naughty Dog has not confirmed a new Uncharted project, and the reported role of Nathan Drake is still unclear. However, with MP1st reporting the project and VGC adding partial corroboration, the possibility of a new Uncharted is no longer just fan wishcasting. It is now one of the most interesting PlayStation rumors currently surrounding Naughty Dog’s future.

A new Uncharted makes strategic sense, but only if Naughty Dog has found a way to evolve the series rather than simply reopen Nathan Drake’s retirement. The franchise still carries huge PlayStation brand value, yet the modern Naughty Dog pipeline is slower, more expensive and far more selective than it was during the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 eras. That means a return would need to feel like a true next generation adventure, not only a familiar name revived for safe commercial value.

The smartest version would probably use Nathan Drake carefully while letting a new lead drive the future. Cassie Drake is the obvious candidate, but The Lost Legacy already proved that Uncharted can survive with a different face in front of the camera. If Naughty Dog can combine that flexibility with the studio’s current technical ambition, Uncharted could return without erasing the emotional closure that made A Thief’s End work.

Would you want Nathan Drake back as the main hero, or should a new Uncharted focus on Cassie Drake while Nathan appears in a supporting role?