Henderson went on to note that this isn’t the first time that Naughty Dog has “flirted with the idea” of making an Uncharted 5. “I don’t know what they’re trying to do with it or whatever. I know that there was some planning of an Uncharted 5 before COVID.”

Henderson went on to discuss the state of the industry at large, noting that many companies might be aiming for safe bets rather than trying to create an entirely new IP. He brings up Bungie with Marathon as one point of comparison, noting that the studio’s safest bet would be a brand new Destiny game. Similarly, Naughty Dog would likely see new entries in The Last of Us and Uncharted as safe bets.

“I think the issue that we run into now is Uncharted 5 is considered a safe bet, right? And that’s what we’re going to see from a lot of studios. It’s like Bungie with Marathon,” he said. “I think that’s got a long tail on it, and it is probably going to do okay, right? Like, I don’t think it’s going to shut down next week or whatever, but the next safe bet for them is Destiny 3, and the next safe bet for Naughty Dog is obviously The Last of Us Part 3 and Uncharted.”

The Instagram post that sparked the entire discussion included a photo that, while looking like one that could be taken by any tourist visiting a scenic location, had the caption “Research…” under it. While Escayg didn’t reveal any further details on what the research could possibly be about, the general vibes of the photo could fit in quite well with a potential Uncharted 5, since the franchise typically takes players to scenic, beautiful places quite often.

It is worth noting that neither Naughty Dog nor Sony has made any official announcements regarding the franchise, and for all intents and purposes, the former is still focusing purely on Intergalactic’s development.

The last mainline entry in the Uncharted franchise was 2016’s Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. Its story revolves around protagonist Nathan Drake getting pulled into one last major adventure, and deals with many themes, ranging from unresolved trauma from Nathan’s childhood to the responsibility he has for his new family with Elena.

Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End got a standalone expansion in 2017, dubbed Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. The title features Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross as its protagonists, and sees the two investigating the Hoysala Kingdom ruins. It featured a more open-ended structure for its second act, giving players plenty of freedom to tackle obstacles.

For more details, check out our review of the PC release of Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection, which features both titles.

The image shows an old cannon on a wall overlooking a city by the sea. It would come across as a neat vacation photo if Escayg didn’t put the caption, “Research…” Research for what exactly? He didn’t say, but considering how much it lines up with Nathan Drake’s entire profile of gallivanting around, exploring ruins, and even dealing with pirates, what else but Uncharted?

A new title in the series wouldn’t be too surprising at this point. After all, Naughty Dog previously wrote that it has several “ambitious, brand new” single-player titles in the works (that “brand new” seemingly indicating that they’re not remakes). There’s also the rumor that Escayg has been working on an unannounced project for almost four years now, which may be the same that Druckmann is producing.

Could it be something out of left field, like, say, a new Jak and Daxter? Sure, but given that it’s been nearly a decade since Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End – not to mention Escayg serving as co-director on Uncharted: The Lost Legacy – you’d have to think that Drake is gearing up for a return. Hopefully, we’ll learn more later this year.

Of course, for all the successful first-party titles that PlayStation has pumped out, there are a few well-known IPs which have sunk into oblivion over time. No, not Killzone, whose last entry, Shadow Fall, launched in 2013 for the PS4 and received a 73 Metascore. Not Bloodborne, which is still considered FromSoftware’s finest work by hardcore fans and still hasn’t received a remaster or remake, let alone a port to PS5. It’s not Knack, which is still a meme even after the improved sequel.

It’s Uncharted, a franchise that began in 2007 on the PlayStation 3, generating four big titles and a few spin-offs. The story is about Nathan Drake, a treasure hunter who is a quote-unquote descendant of Sir Francis Drake. The series is more than a little inspired by Indiana Jones but also features healthy dollops of pulp fiction, media like National Treasure and more to craft mystery-laden action-adventure titles.

Uncharted hit its stride in 2009 with Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, a sequel that many considered one of the best games ever. It would be followed by Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception in 2011, which, while not as acclaimed as its predecessor, still averaged an impressive 92 Metascore and sold millions of units. The set pieces became more bombastic and high-budget as the trilogy progressed, but the series never stopped focusing on Drake’s interpersonal relationships, the thrill of the chase or the extensive exploration and platforming that defined each adventure.

Even if it ended there, Uncharted would have been one of the best video game trilogies ever made, standing alongside Mass Effect, God of War, Metroid Prime, the list goes on. However, Naughty Dog announced Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End in 2013, and, based on the title alone, it generated more than its fair share of discussion. Would the fourth title mark the end of the series at last? Was this the end of Nathan Drake? Was Naughty Dog killing off the character?

Upon launching in May 2016, the developer revealed a much more personal journey for Nathan, who reunited with his brother Sam and embarked on one last big treasure hunt. While there were a few qualms regarding its narrative, Uncharted 4 was praised universally for its visuals, set pieces, combat, more open levels, performances, and fitting conclusion to a beloved series.

“Conclusion” is the important part here. Naughty Dog has said without fail over the past several years that it’s done with the franchise. As recently as January 2023, co-president Neil Druckmann told Buzzfeed, “At Naughty Dog we’re very, very privileged that our publisher is Sony — which means Sony funds our games, supports us, and we’re owned by Sony. They have supported us every step of the way to follow our passions — meaning that just because something is successful, people think there’s all this pressure, and we have to make a sequel.

“That’s not the case. For us, Uncharted was insanely successful — Uncharted 4 was one of our best-selling games — and we’re able to put our final brushstroke on that story and say that we’re done. We’re moving on.”

However, some at the studio – like Shaun Escayg, the creative director on spin-off Uncharted: The Lost Legacy – say it’s “a franchise that the studio loves” and “wants to see more of.” In January 2022, Escayg told GamesRadar, “I think we can say for certain that we can never say never. Uncharted is a franchise we love – that the studio loves. It’s a world we want to see more of. So I can certainly say that.” This was after co-president Evan Wells told Game Informer in August 2021 that the studio still has “a ton of love for Uncharted and The Last of Us, and I think you’ll see both kinds of projects from us in the future.”

This was following the launch of The Last of Us Part 2, as rumors of a standalone multiplayer project were already circulating (which was announced and subsequently cancelled). While Naughty Dog’s involvement with Uncharted remains the same on the surface – no officially announced sequel or such coming up – plenty is seemingly happening behind the scenes.

An Uncharted multiplayer title was reportedly in the works, per Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier in April 2021, at Bend Studio with Naughty Dog supervising. It was allegedly cancelled as the Days Gone developer moved on to an untitled new IP (also sporting multiplayer support).

However, in April 2022, Naughty Dog hired a new “primary Recruiter” in charge of “building future teams for not only new titles but for the legacy of Uncharted, which is very personal and specific to me and my family.” Sony would also establish a new first-party triple-A studio in San Diego, with job listings indicating it was “co-developing an exciting new project with Naughty Dog in a beloved franchise.”

Nothing official came of all this, though in December 2022, TheLeak.co reported that a reboot for Uncharted was in the works at a “new, unknown studio” and that Naughty Dog wasn’t leading the project (which fits with the San Diego studio’s listing). While development is stated to be in its “infancy,” it’s possible that Sony may have shifted towards or greenlit another title in the franchise – a remake, per XboxEra in February 2024.

The latter is allegedly a ground-up remake of the first game for PS5, though it was still “being very strongly considered,” indicating that it may not progress further. Once again, Naughty Dog isn’t developing the title – its involvement in this case is relatively unknown.

Regardless, things are allegedly happening, and there is some interest from Sony in doing something with Uncharted. How those plans have shifted over time is unknown (especially following the 2022 film’s success at the box success). Nevertheless, as a franchise, Uncharted is as synonymous with PlayStation as any other brand.

The franchise arguably represented a shift for the publisher and Naughty Dog, the latter moving towards more realistic visuals and grounded stories. Nathan Drake may not return as the leading hero, but he was undoubtedly the mascot for Sony during its PlayStation 3 days, distinguishing it from the competition as a premier destination for high-end triple-A single-player titles.

Based on all these rumors, it’s unknown if a direct follow-up to Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End will ever occur. Uncharted 5 may very well be a soft reboot that features a new leading character, albeit one with ties to Drake, as indicated by the last game’s ending. If that does happen, it wouldn’t be odd for Sony to remake the older games and usher in a new audience. Regardless of the direction, the legacy of Drake lives on, and his exploits remain the stuff of legend. Here’s hoping the future matches up to his illustrious past.

Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, GamingBolt as an organization.

However, one scene isn’t immediately recognizable. It sees a young girl holding a torch in a cave, happening upon an artifact of sorts. She’s shown dusting it off before seemingly reacting to something. While not confirmed, this could be the next Uncharted.

PlayStation Blog says the trailer “hints at the breadth of extraordinary experiences taking place in the PS5 universe through the style of a live news channel,” and asks fans to “spot all the game references.” Given how Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End concluded (mild spoilers incoming), the young woman could be Cassie, Nathan Drake’s daughter.

Though Naughty Dog co-president Neil Druckmann said the studio is “done” with Uncharted, a different studio seems to be working on a reboot. Christina-Marie Drake McBrearty was brought on as a primary Recruiter to build future teams “for not only new titles but for the legacy of Uncharted.” Sony is also establishing a new internal development studio in San Diego with PlayStation Studios Visual Arts to work on “an exciting new project in a beloved franchise” with Naughty Dog.

All signs point to a new Uncharted, but we’ll need to wait for more details. Stay tuned in the meantime.

Naughty Dog co-president and The Last of Us co-creator Neil Druckmann recently touched on the topic while speaking with BuzzFeed, and as you may have expected, didn’t exactly give a concrete response. Remarking on the freedom that Sony affords to Naughty Dog, Druckmann said that in spite of Uncharted’s success, the studio is now “done” with the franchise- and similarly, he says The Last of Us Part 3 will only get made if Naughty Dog can come up with a “a compelling story” with a “universal message and statement about love.”

“I know there’s a bunch of people wondering about The Last of Us Part 3 and whether that will be a thing or not,” Druckmann said. “All I could say is, at Naughty Dog we’re very, very privileged that our publisher is Sony — which means Sony funds our games, supports us, and we’re owned by Sony. They have supported us every step of the way to follow our passions — meaning that just because something is successful, people think there’s all this pressure and we have to make a sequel. That’s not the case. For us, Uncharted was insanely successful — Uncharted 4 was one of our best selling games — and we’re able to put our final brushstroke on that story and say that we’re done. We’re moving on.

“Likewise, with The Last of Us, it’s up to us whether we want to continue it or not. Our process is the same thing we did when we did Part 2, which is if we can come up with a compelling story that has this universal message and statement about love — just like the first and second game did — then we will tell that story. If we can’t come up with something, we have a very strong ending with Part 2 and that will be the end.”

Druckmann also touched on the standalone multiplayer The Last of Us title, saying that players will get to experience “a brand new story and cast of characters that live in another city that we haven’t seen yet in the world of The Last of Us.”

He said: “We’ve been pretty open that the next Last of Us game is going to be this multiplayer experience, where you’ll be able to enter the world of The Last of Us with your friend and get to experience the tension and the brutality of that world — and a brand new story and cast of characters that live in another city that we haven’t seen yet in the world of The Last of Us. This is going to be another chapter in the universe of The Last of Us.”

Interestingly, based on Druckmann’s past comments, one would imagine Naughty Dog does have a story in mind for the next The Last of Us game. In April 2021, he said that a rough story outline for the game was already ready, while as recently as earlier this month, he said he thinks the series has “more story to tell.” Leaks have also claimed that The Last of Us Part 3 has already entered development– though Druckmann has warned fans to be wary of insider information, so take from that what you will.

Where Uncharted is concerned, Naughty Dog has made it abundantly clear on multiple occasions that Uncharted 4 and The Lost Legacy were its final games in the series- though that may not necessarily mean the franchise has no future. As per leaks, an Uncharted reboot is in development at a newly-established first party PlayStation studio, with Naughty Dog allegedly providing assistance on the project.

Naughty Dog is set to reveal new details on The Last of Us multiplayer title later this year, while The Last of Us Part 1 is also set to launch for PC on March 3.

NEW PROTAGONIST

This is probably the most obvious point worth mentioning, so it makes sense to kick things off with it. Uncharted 4 very firmly brought Nathan Drake’s story to an end- but of course, there’s more to Uncharted than Nate at this point. Uncharted 4’s epilogue sort of makes it seem like Nate and Elena’s daughter Cassie might step up as a playable protagonist in the future, while of course, there’s also the chance that Sam Drake ends up taking the lead role at some point. It goes without saying that we wouldn’t exactly mind a new game with Chloe as the playable protagonist either, even though she isn’t exactly going to be a new protagonist.

As spotted by VGC, another new job listing for the position of Game Design Intern describes the studio as “a new PlayStation studio based in San Diego”. Interestingly, the listing also confirms that the studio is “co-developing an exciting new project with Naughty Dog in a beloved franchise.”

Of course, specific details on the project are unknown, but there’s been heavy speculation that the project in question is a new mainline Uncharted game. The series has been dormant since 2016 and 2017’s Uncharted 4 and Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (barring the recent remastered release of Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection for PS5 and PC).

Interestingly, earlier this year, Naughty Dog confirmed that it was “building future teams” for new Uncharted titles– and this very much seems to align with that. How long it’ll be before we got concrete details remains to be seen, but we’ll be keeping an eye out for new updates, so stay tuned.

Ever since Uncharted 4 has been revealed, it has been sold to the players on the promise of it being the final Uncharted title, the last game in Nathan Drake’s episodic odysseys. The hint was right there in the name of the game: ‘A Thief’s End’ is, in the end, not subtle in terms of communicating that with this game, Naughty Dog are looking at signing off on their flagship franchise once and for all.

However, just because Naughty Dog is done with the series doesn’t mean that it will end– after all, the Uncharted games are Sony’s flagship franchise, their highest selling titles worldwide, and they would be foolish to let something like that simply end. Obviously, if not by Naughty Dog, then Uncharted games with other studios will be coming in the future, right?

Naughty Dog seems to be okay with that idea- their only stipulation, it seems, is that the new studio can get the ‘essence’ of the series right.

“If they made a great game I’d be excited,” Naughty Dog’s Neil Druckmann said to GamesRadar. “I’d want to play an Uncharted I didn’t work on. It’d be a lot of fun.

“Obviously we would have a big part in it as the creators of the franchise,” he continued, “We’d just want to make sure they get the essence of it right.”

Something like this could go well, or it could not- in general, whenever Sony have handed a franchise of theirs off to another studio, it has never worked out all that well- titles like Sly 4 and Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier are a testament to that fact. However, just maybe, Sony will be more careful with a big name series like Uncharted in picking a new studio. Plus with Naughty Dog also being involved in the process, who knows? A new Uncharted game could turn out fine.

For now, though, there is Uncharted 4 to look forward to. And it launches in May, exclusively on the PlayStation 4.