New Mainline Uncharted Game in Development at Naughty Dog

Sony subsidiary Naughty Dog is developing a new mainline Uncharted video game that will include series protagonist Nathan Drake, according to industry reports surfaced on October 1.

The project represents the first major Uncharted title in development since 2017, putting one of PlayStation’s flagship action-adventure franchises back into production alongside original intellectual properties and post-apocalyptic narratives. The report notes the game is an entirely new installment rather than a remake or remaster of previous entries in the series.

Shaun Escayg Reportedly Leading Project Development

Veteran developer Shaun Escayg is reportedly directing the new Uncharted game. Escayg previously served as the creative director and writer for Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, the 2017 standalone expansion that followed Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross through India’s Western Ghats. Before directing that title, he worked as a lead cinematic animator on both The Last of Us and Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.

Escayg departed Naughty Dog in 2018 to join Crystal Dynamics as creative director on Marvel’s Avengers before rejoining Sony’s studio in 2021. His return to the director’s chair positions a proven franchise lead at the helm of the upcoming release, though neither Sony Interactive Entertainment nor studio management has publicly commented on the assignment.

Nathan Drake’s Unconfirmed Role and Story Direction

The report states that Nathan Drake will appear in the project in some capacity, though his exact involvement remains unverified. The production team has not settled whether the longtime franchise lead will serve as the primary playable character, a secondary supporting cast member, or an extended cameo.

The character’s story arc previously concluded in 2016’s Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, which ended with Drake retiring from freelance treasure hunting to raise his daughter, Cassie Drake, with his wife, Elena Fisher. The epilogue of that game introduced an older Cassie, leaving potential narrative room for her to step into a primary role. Alternatively, the narrative could revisit Nathan’s brother Sam Drake and his partner Victor Sullivan, whose continued mercenary work remained active at the end of the fourth installment.

Production Pipeline and Naughty Dog Slate

The reported production schedule places the new Uncharted title behind the studio’s upcoming original sci-fi franchise, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Studio head Neil Druckmann confirmed that the team plans to deliver a full reveal of Intergalactic in 2027.

According to the report, full development focus will transition to the Uncharted project following the launch of Intergalactic, positioning it ahead of The Last of Us Part 3 in the studio’s active release sequence. In addition, Druckmann announced on The Last of Us Day that two unannounced spin-off projects are in early stages to expand that franchise’s established canon.

Because full production remains tied to the progression of Intergalactic, a release window and supported hardware platforms for the new Uncharted game have not been established.