Baby Steps Harbours Hilarious Uncharted Sequel Theory

A amusing theory has captured the gaming world’s attention, indicating that Devolver Digital’s indie platformer Baby Steps might actually be a secret Uncharted sequel in disguise. The clumsy, pajama-clad protagonist, known simply as Nate, might plausibly be Nathan Drake Jr.—the never-before-mentioned son of PlayStation’s cherished adventurer. Loremasters and dataminers have discovered strong evidence, from character models explicitly marked “Nathan Drake” to a dream scene where the protagonist is referred to as “Nate D.” The theory gathered substantial support after the Baby Steps Discord community found references to a character named Cassie and characters named Nathan and Elena, echoing the Fisher-Drake family from the Uncharted franchise. Whilst Sony and Naughty Dog have offered no comment on the matter, the evidence has proven too enticing for fans to ignore.

The Fascinating Case of Nate and His Family Lineage

The most persuasive evidence backing the Uncharted connection exists within Baby Steps’ narrative details, which present a remarkably familiar family portrait. As players progress, players progressively uncover about Nate’s kin through spoken exchanges and character engagement. His sister is specifically identified as Cassie, his father is Nathan, and his mother is Elena—names that match precisely with the established Uncharted canon. These are not loose parallels; they’re direct matches to the Fisher-Drake lineage found throughout multiple Uncharted titles. The correspondence looks far too exact to be coincidental, leading the community to theorise that this constitutes either a detailed hidden reference or a real, though unorthodox, franchise expansion.

What renders this theory especially compelling is the substantial amount of supporting details scattered throughout Baby Steps’ files and hidden content. Dataminers have revealed character models explicitly labelled with Nathan Drake’s name, whilst achievement artwork depicts an mature figure displaying remarkable similarity to an aged version of Uncharted’s protagonist. A dream sequence even identifies the player character as “Nate D,” a clear abbreviation of Drake. Additionally, a secret 30-minute cutscene —unlocked by bypassing alternate cutscenes in the game—features developers discussing their nostalgia for Uncharted and articulating hopes for the franchise’s return. These multifaceted allusions suggest purposeful development selections rather than accidental occurrence.

• Character model explicitly labelled “Nathan Drake” in source files
• Sister character identified as Cassie corresponds to Uncharted 4’s established daughter
• Parents identified as Nathan and Elena echo the Fisher-Drake household
• Dream sequence refers to protagonist as “Nate D” outright

Dataminers Reveal Strong Evidence

Character Design Disclosures

The strongest evidence supporting the Uncharted theory emerges from Baby Steps’ foundational code, where analysts have found the protagonist’s player character is literally labelled “Nathan Drake” within the game files. This is far more than a subtle nod or an concealed secret within obscure dialogue—it’s a fundamental identifier embedded in the game’s architecture itself. Such explicit naming conventions generally fulfil functional roles in game development, making this discovery particularly significant. The reality that Devolver Digital and the development team have allowed such a blatant identifier to remain in the final build calls into question whether this constitutes an knowing reference to the player base or something far more substantial.

Beyond the character model designation, further file discoveries have strengthened the Uncharted connection significantly. Achievement artwork has been scrutinised by eagle-eyed fans, with the “World’s Best Dad” achievement featuring imagery that bears strong similarity to an ageing Nathan Drake. These graphical elements, combined with the explicit naming conventions in the code, create a pattern too consistent to dismiss as coincidence. The developers’ clear unwillingness to address these discoveries openly has further fuelled speculation within the community, with many interpreting the silence as tacit acknowledgement rather than explicit rejection of the connection.

• Character model files explicitly labelled “Nathan Drake” in in-game code
• Achievement artwork features older man matching the appearance of aged Nathan Drake
• Dream sequence dialogue identifies protagonist as “Nate D” outright
• Family member names perfectly match Uncharted 4 established canon
• Developers decline to comment on all Uncharted connection inquiries

The Hidden Cutscene That Initiated It All

The complete theory gained considerable momentum after the uncovering of a secret 30-minute cutscene that players could access by skipping every single cutscene in Baby Steps—a meta twist that appears wholly in accordance with the game’s distinctive creative approach. Rather than satisfying dedicated players with extra content or story resolution, the developers instead created an lengthy scene where the voice actors and creative staff fully step out of character. What unfolds is a frank, off-camera conversation that feels remarkably unscripted, offering windows into the development journey that went into Baby Steps’ distinctive character.

Within this lengthy passage lies the key revelation that sent the Baby Steps Discord group into utter overdrive. At one point during the developers’ casual conversation, one team member utters a apparently offhand line that would echo across the broader fanbase: “I miss Uncharted. I wish they’d bring it back.” The comment, made with genuine earnestness rather than irony, immediately sparked rampant speculation about whether Baby Steps might constitute something far more substantial than a independent standalone title. The creators’ following refusal to elaborate on the statement has only heightened the mystery, prompting fans to question whether this was genuine nostalgia or a deliberately planned hint about the game’s true nature.

Creator Remarks Turned Problematic

The existence of such an elaborate hidden sequence raises fundamental questions about creative vision and creative expression within corporate-backed projects. If Baby Steps genuinely represents a hidden Uncharted instalment, the creative team may have cleverly embedded these references and commentary as a form of artistic rebellion—a way of expressing their desire to work on the beloved franchise whilst functioning under the guise of an completely distinct project. The fact that Sony and Naughty Dog have remained conspicuously silent on everything concerning these discoveries suggests either strategic ambiguity or authentic astonishment at the fanbase’s investigative efforts. Either way, the developers’ refusal to verify or refute the link has converted conjecture into a cultural moment.

What This Indicates for Uncharted’s Future

If Baby Steps actually represents a secret Uncharted project, it could signal a substantial shift in how prominent publishers approach dormant franchises. Rather than releasing a traditional AAA sequel, Sony and Naughty Dog may have chosen a more experimental, unconventional approach—embedding the narrative continuation within an indie title created by Getting Over It’s Bennett Foddy. This strategy would allow the studio to explore possibilities with fresh creative ideas whilst preserving plausible deniability about the franchise’s revival. The reception of Baby Steps, measured both commercially and critically, could conceivably support a larger Uncharted reveal in the coming years.

The Uncharted franchise has remained notably absent from PlayStation’s flagship titles since 2017, with only spin-offs and adaptations filling the void. Fans have grown increasingly vocal about their appetite for a genuine follow-up, and the discovery of these hidden connections has reignited speculation about the series’ prospects. Whether Baby Steps signals actual progress or an elaborate inside joke, it demonstrates that the hunger for new Uncharted content stays robust within the player base. Sony’s silence on the matter is particularly telling, suggesting either deliberate mystery-building or an acknowledgement that something significant may indeed be brewing in the background.

Regardless of whether Baby Steps truly operates as a secret Uncharted sequel, the phenomenon itself has reinvigorated conversation around the franchise’s future direction and legacy. The community’s commitment to discovering hidden lore showcases the devoted fan community that awaits any official announcement. Whether Naughty Dog opts to exploit this momentum with a genuine revival remains uncertain, but the groundswell of interest suggests the timing could scarcely be better for the studio to greenlight a genuine return to Nathan Drake’s world.