OG designer calls Uncharted remake a cash grab

Ten years after the spectacular conclusion of Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, fans are eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Nathan Drake’s legendary adventures. While Naughty Dog presumably pushes forward with exciting new projects like Intergalactic: A Heretic Prophet, the conversation inevitably turns to the older classics—specifically the Remasters and potential remakes of the original Uncharted trilogy.

For many long-time fans, revisiting the remastered Drake’s Fortune and other titles is a nostalgic pleasure. Yet, for those who have played these games countless times, the itch for a brand-new experience remains strong. The bigger question isn’t about quality; it’s about the philosophical stance: should beloved IP be reworked?

When asked about the possibility of remastering or remaking the Uncharted franchise, designer Benson Russell offered a firm perspective rooted in preserving creative integrity. He argued that redoing these classics would fundamentally change the spirit of the original games.

“Uncharted as a thing is still in the zeitgeist,” Russell stated. “There’s already a version you can play on modern consoles to get the experience. What’s the point of remastering or remaking it? You’d have to rewrite the whole story to make it better, which means you’re going to change the spirit and you’re going to change the scenes and what the first one was about, right?”

This stance highlights a common tension in game development. While technical updates are welcome, designers often feel that changing core narrative elements risks alienating long-time players who cherish the original context. For Russell, simply letting these games exist as they were is sufficient.

He added that this cautious approach extended to other projects within Naughty Dog, citing his concerns over the controversial handling of The Last of Us remake. He felt that honoring the history of an IP is paramount, especially when dealing with material that has already stood the test of time.

Ultimately, Russell suggested that pursuing a full remake for Uncharted would feel less like necessary evolution and more like a commercial move. Instead of rewriting established lore, he believes Naughty Dog would be better served by creating new stories—perhaps a prequel or a spin-off—that utilize the lessons learned from the series, rather than retooling the past.

In the end, the argument favors reinvention over repetition. The power of the Uncharted legacy lies in its history, and perhaps the most engaging adventure yet will be found not in revisiting old paths, but in charting entirely new ones.