We’ve heard a fresh rumour about Naughty Dog that, if true, will send a thrill through fans of treasure-hunting action-adventure: per reporting picked up by Push Square, outlet MP1st claims the studio is working on a new Uncharted entry with Shaun Escayag — director of The Lost Legacy — at the helm.
What Was Reported
According to Push Square, MP1st relayed several headline claims about Naughty Dog’s next moves. The key points are:
- Shaun Escayag is allegedly leading the new Uncharted project.
- Nathan Drake will appear in the game in some form, but he reportedly will not be the lead character.
- Per MP1st, Naughty Dog’s focus after this Uncharted instalment would be on The Last Of Us 3.
- MP1st’s report also notes that the Uncharted franchise has been dormant since The Lost Legacy in 2017, and that the next game will likely arrive well into the next hardware generation — “more than likely for PS6,” in the outlet’s words.
Push Square also points to a complementary note from leaker NateTheHate2, who allegedly suggested Escayag isn’t working on a new The Last Of Us game, which aligns with MP1st’s claim that Escayag could be focused on an Uncharted project instead. Take this with a pinch of salt: MP1st says it can’t yet confirm whether Drake is a protagonist, side character, or cameo.
The Source & Credibility
We’re dealing with a second‑hand leak here: Push Square is relaying claims made by MP1st. MP1st is presented as an outlet that has previously reported on other studio projects, and Push Square highlights that MP1st “has previously reported on the likes of Media Molecule’s next title and leaked a Killzone project.” That track record is why these claims are getting attention.
How Much Weight Should You Put On This?
We remain sceptical but intrigued. MP1st’s prior scoops are noted in Push Square’s write‑up, but the site itself admits uncertainty about core details — namely whether Nathan Drake is a lead or a supporting presence. The involvement of Shaun Escayag is clear in the rumour, and separate chatter from NateTheHate2 is framed as broadly consistent with that claim. Still, until Naughty Dog or PlayStation confirm anything, this is an unverified report and should be treated accordingly.
For context on how such rumours can evolve and be corroborated over time, see our earlier coverage of the Media Molecule Allegedly Pivoting To A Social Sim scoop and other leak-driven stories like the Next StarCraft Shooter. These examples show how tentative claims sometimes solidify, and sometimes don’t — so patience and caution are warranted.
What It Could Mean
If Shaun Escayag is indeed leading a new Uncharted title and Nathan Drake is no longer the primary protagonist, a few possibilities emerge — all speculative and conditioned on the rumour being accurate:
- A different lead could allow Naughty Dog to expand the franchise’s cast and tone while keeping ties to the Drake legacy. MP1st highlights that Drake “will feature in some form,” but the outlet can’t yet nail down whether that’s protagonist, side character, or cameo.
- The studio planning The Last Of Us 3 for after this new Uncharted instalment suggests Naughty Dog has a roadmap that balances established franchises. Again, that sequence is what MP1st claims, not a confirmed corporate plan.
- Fans immediately speculate on potential leads (the Push Square write‑up notes the natural jump to Cassie Drake for those who have finished Uncharted 4), but MP1st explicitly says it isn’t sure whether that will be the case.
If you’re wondering about timing, MP1st’s note that the new game would likely land “more than likely for PS6” implies a multi‑year wait — but that phrasing comes from the rumour report itself and should not be conflated with official release planning.
Why This Matters
This rumour matters because Uncharted is one of Naughty Dog’s most valuable franchises and any change to its lead character would be significant for fans and for PlayStation’s narrative portfolio. If Escayag is steering the project, it could signal a creative direction that leans on the team behind The Lost Legacy, a sub‑entry that already experimented with shifting protagonists. If Nathan Drake is present but no longer central, that could allow Naughty Dog to tell new stories within the Uncharted universe while maintaining a connective thread to the series’ past.
We’ll keep digging and will update readers if we can corroborate MP1st’s claims with additional sources or official confirmation. For now, enjoy the speculation — and remember to take these early reports with a grain of salt.
