Benson Russell, a key designer on Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, has expressed doubts about the value of remaking the original game, arguing that its legacy and current availability make a full remake unnecessary
The prospect of a remake for Uncharted: Drake's Fortune has resurfaced in recent years, fuelled by persistent rumours and speculation about Naughty Dog's future projects. However, Benson Russell, who contributed to both Drake's Fortune and Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, has publicly questioned whether a remake would serve any meaningful purpose for players or the franchise.
Designer's Perspective on Remakes
Russell, now a developer at Naughty Dog, has argued that remakes are most valuable when the original game is inaccessible or hampered by technical limitations that prevent modern audiences from enjoying it. In his view, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune remains widely available through The Nathan Drake Collection on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, offering a playable and visually updated version that preserves the original experience. He contrasted this with titles like System Shock, where a remake addressed significant barriers to entry, such as outdated controls or unapproachable design.
According to Russell, remaking Drake's Fortune would require substantial changes to the story and set pieces, potentially altering the spirit of the original. He suggested that such an effort risks undermining what made the first game distinctive, rather than enhancing it for a new generation.
Rumours and Studio Focus
Speculation about a possible Uncharted: Drake's Fortune remake has circulated for over two years, with some reports suggesting Naughty Dog considered the project before ultimately prioritising The Last of Us Part 1 for PlayStation 5. Despite the ongoing discussion, there has been no official confirmation from the studio regarding any active development on a Drake's Fortune remake. Instead, Naughty Dog's current focus appears to be on its next major title, Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet, which has already prompted Neil Druckmann to step back from his role on HBO's The Last of Us series to concentrate on game development.
While the studio's roadmap remains closely guarded, the absence of concrete details about a new Uncharted project suggests that any remake, if planned, is not imminent. Meanwhile, the franchise's continued relevance is maintained through its existing remasters and ongoing player interest.
Industry Context and Player Value
Russell's comments reflect a broader industry debate about the purpose and value of remakes. With many classic games now accessible via remasters or backwards compatibility, the threshold for justifying a full remake has risen. For Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, the argument centres on whether technical or narrative improvements would genuinely benefit players, or if such a project would simply repeat what is already available.
In a related discussion about expanding established franchises, Square Enix's approach to Final Fantasy 7 Revelation-focusing on a larger world while maintaining clear player guidance-demonstrates how studios are weighing the balance between nostalgia and innovation. For more on how major publishers are handling legacy titles, see this analysis of Square Enix's evolving strategy for Final Fantasy 7 Revelation.
Remake or Cash Grab?
Russell has also raised concerns that a remake of Drake's Fortune could be perceived as a commercial move rather than a creative necessity. He argued that, without a clear technical or experiential gap to fill, remaking a game that remains accessible risks being seen as a cash grab. This sentiment echoes wider player scepticism towards remakes that do not offer substantial new value or address genuine limitations of the original release.
At present, there is no evidence to suggest that Naughty Dog is actively developing a remake of Uncharted: Drake's Fortune. The studio's resources are currently directed towards new projects, and the original game's availability on modern platforms continues to satisfy most player demand.
Remakes and remasters serve different roles within the games industry. A remaster typically updates visuals and performance for new hardware while preserving the core game, whereas a remake involves rebuilding the game from the ground up, often with new assets, mechanics or narrative changes. The decision to pursue one over the other depends on factors such as technical obsolescence, player demand and the potential to meaningfully improve the experience. For a game like Uncharted: Drake's Fortune, which remains playable and relevant, the case for a full remake is far less clear-cut than for titles that are no longer accessible or suffer from severe technical limitations.
