In a gaming world obsessed with remakes and reboots, it’s refreshing to hear a developer speak out against the trend, especially when it comes to beloved classics. Benson Russell, a key designer behind two of the original Uncharted games and currently at Naughty Dog, has voiced his reservations about a potential remake of Drake’s Fortune, arguing that it simply isn’t necessary.
The Case Against a Drake’s Fortune Remake
Drake’s Fortune, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, released in 2007 on the PlayStation 3, is more than just a game; it’s a foundational title that continues to influence developers today. While rumors of a remake by Naughty Dog have circulated for years, Russell finally addressed the topic in August 2026 during an interview with FRVR.
Russell’s argument boils down to this: Uncharted remains culturally relevant, and a playable version already exists on modern consoles. “Uncharted as a thing is still in the zeitgeist,” he explained. He contrasted it with games like System Shock, where a remake makes sense due to technical limitations or accessibility issues that hindered the original experience. With Drake’s Fortune, there’s simply no compelling reason to overhaul something already playable and cherished.
“I just don’t see the point of remaking [it],” Russell continued. “You’d have to rewrite the whole story to make it better, which means you’re going to change the spirit and you’re going to change the scenes and what the first one was about… Are you going to keep those? Are you going to have to redo them because they don’s fit your story? It doesn’t make any sense [to remake it]. I honestly thought the same thing about The Last of Us Part 1… these are old games for a reason.”
Ultimately, Russell believes that a Drake’s Fortune remake would feel more like “a cash grab than it would feel like anything necessary at this point,” concluding with a blunt, “Just don’t recreate the first game. It’s just, eh.”
What’s Next for Naughty Dog?
While the possibility of a Drake’s Fortune remake seems unlikely based on Russell’s comments, Naughty Dog is undoubtedly focused on its next major project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. The studio’s creative director, Neil Druckmann, recently stepped away from his involvement in HBO’s critically acclaimed The Last of Us series to dedicate more time to this upcoming title. However, the gaming community remains abuzz with speculation about a potential The Last of Us Part 3, fueled by recent comments from Druckmann that hinted at another installment in the beloved franchise.
Virginia (she/her) is IGN’s News Editor. With ten years of experience reporting on games and entertainment, she’s got a storied background in the fighting game community, influencer news, and viral online trends. Find her on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze.
Source: IGN Gaming
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