Naughty Dog Reportedly Floated Uncharted 5 Plans Before COVID-19

Naughty Dog reportedly floated the idea of developing Uncharted 5 prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to recent industry reports. This has not been officially confirmed by Naughty Dog or its parent company, Sony Interactive Entertainment. As we approach the tenth anniversary of Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, which was released in 2016, speculation regarding the future of the franchise remains a primary topic of interest for PlayStation enthusiasts. This report, filed by Johnny Flores Jr. and published April 2026, examines the current status of the studio's production pipeline and the history of internal discussions regarding the treasure-hunting series.

The History of Uncharted Development Status

The Uncharted franchise has been a cornerstone of the PlayStation ecosystem since the release of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. The series expanded to portable hardware with Uncharted: Golden Abyss, which launched on the PlayStation Vita on December 17, 2011, and holds an 80 Metacritic score. However, since the release of Uncharted 4: A Thief's End and the standalone expansion Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, the studio has shifted its focus. Following these titles, Naughty Dog moved on to develop The Last of Us Part II before beginning work on their current project, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

The question of whether there will be a new Uncharted game after Uncharted 4 has persisted for years. In a recent episode of the Insider Gaming podcast, industry insider Tom Henderson clarified that the studio had indeed considered a fifth entry. Henderson stated, "This isn’t the first time that Naughty Dog have floated with the idea of Uncharted 5. I know there was some planning going on [for] Uncharted 5 before COVID." This suggests that while the concept was on the table, it did not necessarily progress into full-scale production.

Naughty Dog Uncharted 5 Rumors and Studio Updates

The prospect of a return to the Uncharted series is often discussed due to the franchise's commercial reliability. In an era of escalating development costs, established intellectual properties like Uncharted represent a lower-risk investment for publishers. Naughty Dog has a history of revisiting its classic franchises, having evaluated potential returns to Jak and Daxter before prioritizing the development of The Last of Us.

Recent social media activity has fueled further speculation. Shaun Escayg, the co-director of Uncharted: The Lost Legacy, posted an image on Instagram depicting a cannon located at Fort George in Trinidad & Tobago. Observers noted that the location fits the aesthetic and thematic requirements of an Uncharted adventure, leading to renewed rumors about the studio's future output. For more updates, readers can follow our PlayStation coverage.

Current Studio Priorities

While fans await news, Naughty Dog is currently occupied with other ventures. The studio is reportedly managing two distinct projects. One of these is the previously acknowledged Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. Neil Druckmann, the head of Naughty Dog, has also been active on social media, though he has not provided specific details regarding the studio's long-term roadmap. The lack of an official announcement regarding Uncharted 5 suggests that if the project is in development, it remains in the early stages of its lifecycle.

Analysis of Franchise Longevity

The following table outlines the timeline of major console entries in the Uncharted series to provide context on the gap between releases:

As the series reaches its ten-year milestone since the final Nathan Drake-led adventure, the industry continues to monitor Naughty Dog for any indication that the franchise will be revived. You can find more industry analysis in our industry news section.

Source Reliability

The information regarding Naughty Dog's pre-COVID planning for Uncharted 5 is attributed to Tom Henderson, a well-known industry insider with a track record of reporting on internal studio activities. Given that the information pertains to internal discussions that occurred years ago, this report is classified as a credible rumor rather than a confirmed development milestone. We assign a reliability rating of 4/5 stars based on the source's history of accurate industry reporting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Uncharted 5 currently in development at Naughty Dog?

Naughty Dog has not officially confirmed the development of Uncharted 5, and current reports suggest the studio is focused on other projects like Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet.

Did Naughty Dog plan an Uncharted 5 before COVID?

Yes, industry insider Tom Henderson reported that Naughty Dog was in the early planning stages for an Uncharted 5 project prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Will there be a new Uncharted game after Uncharted 4?

While Naughty Dog has explored the idea of continuing the franchise, no official successor to Uncharted 4: A Thief's End has been announced as of April 2026.