Naughty Dog is reportedly in the early stages of development on a new entry in the Uncharted series. According to a report from MP1st, the project is a brand-new title rather than a remake or remaster, marking a significant return to the franchise that has remained largely dormant since 2017.
The project is reportedly being led by Shaun Escayag, who previously served as the creative director and writer for 2017’s Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. Escayag’s involvement has been corroborated by industry insider NateTheHate, who noted on ResetEra that the director is currently focused on the Uncharted series rather than the studio’s other major franchise, The Last of Us.
Placement in the Naughty Dog Roadmap
The development of a new Uncharted project clarifies Naughty Dog’s increasingly busy production schedule. The studio is currently prioritizing its new science-fiction IP, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Naughty Dog recently confirmed that it will fully reveal Intergalactic in 2027, though it has not yet provided a release window for the new property.
Under the current reported roadmap, the new Uncharted game is slated to be the studio’s next major release following Intergalactic. This would place the title ahead of a potential The Last of Us Part III in the development queue. On September 29, 2026, Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann confirmed that the studio is working on two separate The Last of Us projects designed to “expand the canon,” though he did not reference the Uncharted franchise during that announcement.
Setting and Character Rumors
While Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End provided a definitive conclusion to Nathan Drake’s career as a treasure hunter, the new report suggests that Drake will return “in some form.” It remains unconfirmed whether he will serve as the primary protagonist or appear in a supporting role, such as a mentor or through flashback sequences.
Speculation regarding the game’s setting has focused on the Caribbean. Earlier in 2026, Escayag shared photos on social media of historical sites and an old cannon in Trinidad and Tobago. While not explicitly linked to the project at the time, these “research” trips are now being viewed as potential groundwork for the game’s environment, especially given Escayag’s history of utilizing specific cultural and geographical backdrops for his narratives.
The current reporting indicates that the Uncharted franchise remains a core part of Naughty Dog’s long-term strategy alongside its new IP and The Last of Us.
