Naughty Dog is reportedly in the early stages of development on a brand-new Uncharted game, marking the first time the studio has worked on a fresh entry in the action-adventure franchise since 2017. According to a report from MP1st, the project is bringing back series protagonist Nathan Drake in some capacity, though the studio may not be positioning him as the game’s lead. The news was corroborated by noted industry insider NateTheHate, who confirmed on Resetera that the studio is indeed working on a new Uncharted title.
The report suggests that the upcoming game will be a completely new story rather than a remake or remaster of any existing entries in the series. This would represent a significant creative direction for a franchise that has historically followed Nathan Drake’s adventures across four mainline installments. The project is reportedly being directed by Shaun Escayag, a studio veteran who previously directed Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, the 2017 spin-off that featured Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross.
A Director’s Homecoming
Escayag’s involvement carries particular significance given his career trajectory. The director originally left Naughty Dog to serve as creative director of Marvel’s Avengers at Crystal Dynamics, a role he held during the highly publicized development and launch of the 2020 title. However, he later returned to Naughty Dog to work on an unnamed project, which now appears to be this new Uncharted game.
This return to the studio that made its name with the Uncharted and The Last of Us franchises positions Escayag as a familiar face guiding the series into a new era. His prior experience directing The Lost Legacy demonstrates his established relationship with the Uncharted universe and its supporting cast.
Shaun Escayag is indeed working on a new Uncharted game.
NateTheHate, via Resetera
Where Does Drake Fit In?
One of the most intriguing aspects of the report is the suggestion that Nathan Drake may not serve as the game’s protagonist. Assuming the new title continues the story established in Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, the natural successor would be Cassie Drake, the daughter of Nathan and Elena Fisher who was introduced in the game’s post-credits scene. Cassie could potentially lead the next adventure, carrying forward the Drake legacy while allowing the studio to chart new creative territory.
This approach would mirror how many long-running franchises evolve, passing the torch to a new generation of characters while maintaining connections to the original story. It would also allow Naughty Dog to explore the world of treasure hunting through fresh eyes while honoring the foundation laid by previous installments.
Timeline and Future Outlook
Naughty Dog is expected to shift its focus to the new Uncharted game only after shipping Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, the studio’s current main project. That title does not yet have a confirmed release target, though the studio recently indicated that the game will be properly revealed in 2027, suggesting a potential release during the same year.
Given this timeline, players should not expect to see the new Uncharted game for quite some time. The studio will need to complete Intergalactic first, leaving ample time before development on the Uncharted title truly gets underway. Even once development begins in earnest, AAA games typically require several years to complete, pushing any potential release well into the next half of the decade.
Beyond a 2022 re-release, the last Uncharted game to launch was 2017’s The Lost Legacy, itself an Uncharted 4 spin-off that starred Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross rather than Nathan Drake. The extended absence of new Uncharted content has left fans eager for the franchise’s next chapter, making this development particularly noteworthy for the community.
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