New Uncharted game reportedly in development at Naughty Dog

It seems we haven’t seen the last of Nathan Drake. According to a report from MP1st that's since been corroborated by VGC, Naughty Dog plans to bring back the Uncharted series after it finishes its current game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

Per MP1st and VGC’s anonymous sources, Naughty Dog is currently working on a new Uncharted game. While details are scarce, they say the new game will feature series protagonist Nathan Drake in some form, though it’s unclear whether he will be the main character or just featured in a cameo. This game is apparently not a remake of any kind, and isn't the previously rumored Uncharted 1 retread. According to these sources, Naughty Dog’s next project after Uncharted will be The Last of Us Part III. The studio recently said that it has two The Last of Us projects currently in development.

Shaun Escayg will direct the new Uncharted, having previously helmed Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, the standalone expansion which starred Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross. Escayg briefly left Naughty Dog to become the Creative Director of Crystal Dynamics’ failed live service game, Marvel’s Avengers.

Where did the Uncharted series leave off? [Warning: Spoilers]

For those who don’t recall, the last mainline Uncharted game, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, was released on May 10, 2016. The game was a huge hit, earning critical acclaim and selling over 18 million copies. Its story ended the Nathan Drake saga somewhat definitively, as this adventurer finally came to terms with a lifetime of missed opportunities as he settled down with Elena Fisher. The game's finale passed the torch to Elena and Drake’s daughter, Cassie, implying she would be the new protagonist if the series continued.

Uncharted 4 was followed by The Lost Legacy in 2017, a tightly constructed spin-off that proved the series could continue past Nathan Drake. In this context, it’s a bit surprising to hear that Drake will be back with this upcoming sequel, but it’s possible he’s just a background player. In 2023, Naughty Dog president Neil Druckmann said the company was “done with Uncharted” and was “moving on.” Apparently, that's no longer the case.

Regardless of the specifics, Uncharted 5 is likely a ways off. Naughty Dog is planning a full gameplay reveal for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet next year, but it hasn’t confirmed a release date. Given that the studio takes around four to five years to make games at this point, the next Uncharted likely won’t be out until the 2030s.