Is *Uncharted* Really Coming Back? Naughty Dog’s Dual-Track Development Sparks Speculation

Opening the news on the subway and seeing the words Uncharted, I really do pause for an extra two seconds. The last time this series got a proper mainline sequel was all the way back in 2017 with Uncharted 4. For a casual player like me, games like this—with a strong cinematic feel and smooth pacing—are exactly the kind you can sink into without much mental effort, like casually putting on a good Hollywood adventure movie over the weekend.

The core news this time is a rumor claiming that Naughty Dog is simultaneously working on a brand-new Uncharted and developing it in parallel with Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. This claim comes from social media user @AlexandreNGamR, but for now it’s still just at the rumor stage. Multiple authoritative sources, including Insider Gaming, have not confirmed it yet, so don’t pop the champagne too early.

That said, if you piece the clues together, it’s not entirely baseless. As early as 2025, studio head Neil Druckmann mentioned that besides Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, the team was also preparing another game, and that he himself was mainly responsible for producing and supervising that project. On top of that, Uncharted producer Shaun Escayg recently posted an image on social media showing “a cannon aimed at a coastal city,” which naturally led many players to associate it with a new entry in the series.

Still, speculation is speculation, and that’s not the same thing as an official announcement. The safest thing to say right now is simply that “Naughty Dog is working on a new project that has not yet been publicly announced.” As for whether that project is Uncharted, whether it’s a true mainline sequel, or whether it will feature a new protagonist, there’s still no clear official statement. Unless Sony follows up with something formal, this wave of buzz will most likely remain in the realm of speculation.

There’s another reason these kinds of rumors spread so easily, I think, and that has to do with player sentiment. Uncharted has gone nearly ten years without a proper mainline sequel, and for many people, anticipation for this IP is like an old favorite show saved in your watchlist—you feel like pulling it back out every so often. Compared with some blockbuster games that are mechanically complex and carry a higher barrier to entry, its appeal has always been pretty straightforward: fast pacing, strong set pieces, a satisfying sense of adventure, and a style that’s friendly even to more casual players.

If there really is a new game, what I care about most isn’t how big the map is or how much gameplay content gets piled in, but whether it can still preserve that smooth, seamless experience. After all, a lot of AAA games nowadays keep getting heavier and more bloated, to the point where just opening the menu feels annoying. A game like Uncharted, which puts more emphasis on narrative momentum and scene-to-scene transitions, actually feels better suited to today’s players, who increasingly play in short bursts.

Judging from the community response, players currently seem to be split into two camps. One side is already excited, thinking that if Naughty Dog really is developing on two fronts, it means Sony hasn’t let go of this IP. The other side is more restrained, arguing that until authoritative outlets confirm it, it’s best treated as “a rumor with some substance” and not something to get too hyped over, only to end up disappointed. My own view is simple: it’s fine to be hopeful, but don’t get carried away with speculation. Waiting for official news before getting excited is the safer—and more comfortable—way to go.