New Uncharted game reportedly in early development at Naughty Dog
Nathan Drake is set to return. Naughty Dog is early in development on a new Uncharted game, a fresh entry rather than a remake, according to a report from MP1st published on 30 September and covered by Eurogamer on 1 October.
The report describes the project as a new story in the action-adventure series, which follows treasure hunters through lost cities and set-piece chases. The studio had previously toyed with the idea of remaking Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, released in 2007, but this project is not that remake.
The game is reportedly being directed by Shaun Escayg. He was creative director on Uncharted: The Lost Legacy alongside game director Kurt Margenau. Escayg worked at Naughty Dog for seven years before leaving to become creative director of Marvel's Avengers at Crystal Dynamics, and later returned to the studio.
Insider NateTheHate has also said Escayg is working on a new Uncharted game. Neither Naughty Dog nor publisher Sony has announced the project. That wait has been long.
MP1st reported that Drake will appear in some form. His exact role is unclear. One summary of the report claimed he will feature but not as the lead character, while IGN reported that it is not yet known whether it will be a lead, supporting role or cameo.
Context helps here. Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, released in 2016, was the last mainline entry. The last new game in the series was The Lost Legacy, released in 2017, a shorter spin-off, meaning a side story with different leads, built from Uncharted 4. It starred Chloe Frazer and was the first franchise title not to feature Drake as the protagonist. The series last resurfaced through Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, released on PC in 2022.
Naughty Dog's current main project is Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which does not yet have a release target. The studio has said it will be properly revealed in 2027. MP1st reported that the new Uncharted is the next game due after Intergalactic, with The Last of Us Part III planned after that. The studio has confirmed it is working on multiple The Last of Us projects.
For players keeping track, this points to a queue rather than a rush. Intergalactic comes first, with a full reveal dated for 2027, and any return to Uncharted sits behind it in early development.
