Naughty Dog’s Next Uncharted Game in Early Development With Nathan Drake Returning

Naughty Dog is in early development on a new entry in the Uncharted series, according to reports from MP1st and corroborated by insider NateTheHate on ResetEra. The project marks a fresh entry rather than a remake, and will bring back series protagonist Nathan Drake in some capacity—though he may not lead the adventure.

Shaun Escayag, a Naughty Dog veteran who previously directed Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, is helming the new game. Escayag had temporarily left the studio to serve as creative director on Marvel’s Avengers at Crystal Dynamics before returning to Naughty Dog to work on an undisclosed project, now revealed to be this Uncharted title.

What’s Next for Development

The new Uncharted won’t enter full production until after Naughty Dog completes Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, the studio’s current flagship project. The studio announced in recent statements that Intergalactic will be properly revealed in 2027, suggesting a potential release in that same year or beyond. This timeline means the Uncharted game remains several years away from launch.

Possible Story Direction

While Naughty Dog has not confirmed narrative details, speculation points toward a continuation of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End’s story. That 2016 title concluded with the introduction of Cassie, the daughter of protagonist Nathan Drake and Elena Fisher. The new game could position Cassie as the lead character, with Drake appearing in a supporting role—consistent with reports that he returns “in some form” but may not anchor the story.

The last mainline Uncharted release was The Lost Legacy in 2017, a spin-off that featured supporting characters from Uncharted 4. A remaster collection launched in 2022, but no new original Uncharted story has shipped in seven years.

Why it matters

A new Uncharted game signals Naughty Dog’s commitment to reviving one of PlayStation’s flagship action-adventure franchises after an extended gap. For players invested in Nathan Drake’s story and the broader world Naughty Dog built, confirmation of development—however early—answers a long-standing question about whether the series would continue. The involvement of Escayag, who earned respect for The Lost Legacy’s focused storytelling, suggests the studio intends to deliver a quality entry rather than coast on the franchise name.

The lengthy development window also sets realistic expectations: don’t expect announcements or trailers in the near term. Naughty Dog’s current focus on Intergalactic means detailed information about the Uncharted project likely remains years away, making this early report a long-view story for franchise fans rather than an imminent release to track.