Rumor: Naughty Dog director linked to new Uncharted

A report says Shaun Escayg, a director at Naughty Dog, may be attached to a new Uncharted game after he posted an Instagram photo of a cannon captioned ‘Research.’

The tip named Escayg, who co-directed Uncharted: The Lost Legacy (2017), as connected to a fresh Uncharted project at Naughty Dog. The Instagram post has been cited by those sharing the claim as a possible hint.

Journalist Jordan Middler wrote in June, “Obviously, a new Uncharted is coming. It’s on the way.” Middler’s comment and the recent tip have not been confirmed by Naughty Dog or Sony Interactive Entertainment.

If the report is accurate, it would be the first new Uncharted since The Lost Legacy, which focused on Chloe Frazer rather than series protagonist Nathan Drake and was released in 2017.

Since Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End in 2016, Naughty Dog released The Lost Legacy in 2017 and The Last of Us Part II in 2020. The studio released The Last of Us Part I remake for PlayStation 5 in 2022 and a remastered version of The Last of Us Part II in early 2024.

In late 2024, Naughty Dog announced a new original game, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, with a full reveal planned for 2027 on PlayStation 5. The studio has not described how work on any Uncharted project would fit with that title or with ongoing support for other franchises.

Fans and industry observers have reacted to the Instagram post and the online tip. Until Naughty Dog or Sony issues an announcement, the report remains unverified.