Former Naughty Dog Dev Says Uncharted Remake Would be a “Cash Grab”
A veteran Naughty Dog designer has opposed the potential development of an Uncharted remake, arguing the studio should prioritize creating new games instead. Benson Russell, who served as senior game designer at Naughty Dog from 2007 to 2015, worked on the franchise during its most successful period, contributing to titles from Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune through Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.
Russell characterized a remake as a “cash grab” that would represent a poor allocation of the studio’s creative resources. The Uncharted franchise has remained largely inactive since The Lost Legacy released in 2017, creating a nine-year gap in new mainline entries.
His position reflects broader industry tensions regarding remake culture. Russell’s advocacy for original development over remakes emphasizes questions about whether revisiting established franchises represents the best use of developer resources and talent compared to pursuing innovative new intellectual property. The comments add to ongoing discussions among industry veterans about sustainable and creatively fulfilling development priorities.