Naughty Dog Reportedly Returning to Uncharted Series

For years, fans of the globe-trotting adventure series have wondered if Nathan Drake would ever step back into the spotlight. A new report from MP1st suggests that Naughty Dog is finally planning to return to the Uncharted franchise, picking up the mantle once the studio finishes work on its current project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

The Return of Nathan Drake

According to the report, this is not intended to be a remake, but an entirely new entry in the long-running series. Development is allegedly being spearheaded by Naughty Dog veteran Shaun Escayag, who rejoined the studio in 2021 after his time at Crystal Dynamics. While details are scarce, the report claims that Nathan Drake will return to the series, though it remains unclear if he will serve as the primary protagonist or occupy a different role. Evidence supporting this project has been bolstered by social media hints, including an Instagram post from Escayag earlier this year featuring historical imagery from Trinidad and Tobago, as well as confirmation from industry figure NateTheHate regarding Escayag’s current focus.

Why it matters

For players, this news suggests that Naughty Dog is looking toward its classic roots even as it explores new intellectual properties. However, fans should manage their expectations regarding the timeline. With the studio committed to a full reveal for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet in 2027, the current state of the new Uncharted project is reportedly very early in the conceptual phase. Given the studio’s deliberate development pace during the current console generation, a realistic release window for a new Uncharted title likely sits well into the first half of the PlayStation 6 lifecycle.

An Early Stage Project

Because the game is in such an early stage of development, everything reported remains subject to change. The focus for Naughty Dog in the near term remains on its upcoming projects, including the recently teased expansion of The Last of Us canon. As the studio continues to “cook” its current slate of titles, the return of Uncharted stands as a long-term prospect for the PlayStation ecosystem rather than an imminent announcement.