Naughty Dog is reportedly working on a new entry in the Uncharted series, potentially titled Uncharted 5. According to reports corroborated by VGC and MP1st, the studio plans to develop the new game after completing its current project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.
While specific details remain scarce, sources suggest that Nathan Drake will feature in some capacity, though it is unclear if he will be the main protagonist or appear in a cameo. This new title is not expected to be a remake, nor is it related to previous rumors of an Uncharted 1 re-imagining. The reports also indicate that Naughty Dog's subsequent project after this Uncharted game will be The Last of Us Part III, adding to the two existing Last of Us projects the studio has confirmed are in development.
The new Uncharted title is expected to be directed by Shaun Escayg, who previously helmed Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. Escayg had a brief tenure at Crystal Dynamics as Creative Director for the live service game Marvel's Avengers.
Series Future and Previous Endings
The last mainline installment, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, released in 2016, concluded Nathan Drake's story arc, with the adventurer settling down with his wife Elena Fisher. The game's ending hinted at a future for the series with Drake and Elena's daughter, Cassie, potentially taking over as the protagonist.
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, released in 2017, demonstrated the series' potential to continue beyond Nathan Drake, starring Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross. The reported return of Drake in a new game, even in a supporting role, contrasts with previous statements from Naughty Dog president Neil Druckmann in 2023, who indicated the studio was "done with Uncharted" and moving on.
Given Naughty Dog's typical development cycle of four to five years per game, and with a gameplay reveal for Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet planned for next year, the new Uncharted title is likely still several years away and may not be released until the 2030s.