Baby Steps Harbours Hilarious Uncharted Sequel Theory

A hilarious theory has taken the gaming community by storm, proposing that Devolver Digital’s indie platformer Baby Steps might actually be a clandestine Uncharted continuation in disguise. The clumsy, pajama-clad protagonist, known simply as Nate, could quite possibly be Nathan Drake Jr.—the never-before-mentioned son of PlayStation’s cherished adventurer. Loremasters and dataminers have discovered compelling evidence, including character models explicitly labelled “Nathan Drake” to a dream sequence where the protagonist is referred to as “Nate D.” The theory gathered substantial support after the Baby Steps Discord community discovered 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 become too compelling for fans to ignore.

The Intriguing Case of Nate and His Ancestry

The most compelling evidence supporting the Uncharted connection lies in Baby Steps’ plot specifics, which paint a strikingly recognisable family portrait. Throughout the game, players slowly discover about Nate’s family members through conversations and character exchanges. His sister is specifically identified as Cassie, his father is Nathan, and his mother is Elena—names that align perfectly with the established Uncharted canon. These represent more than passing resemblances; they’re direct matches to the Fisher-Drake genealogy present in multiple Uncharted titles. The coincidence seems remarkably specific to be unintentional, prompting fans to suggest that this represents either an elaborate Easter egg or a genuine, if unconventional, franchise continuation.

What creates this theory particularly intriguing is the sheer volume of substantive clues scattered throughout Baby Steps’ files and obscured elements. Dataminers have discovered character models directly named with Nathan Drake’s name, whilst achievement artwork presents an aged individual exhibiting notable likeness to an aged version of Uncharted’s protagonist. A dream sequence even addresses the player character as “Nate D,” a clear abbreviation of Drake. Additionally, a secret cutscene lasting thirty minutes —unlocked by bypassing alternate cutscenes in the game—features developers discussing their nostalgia for Uncharted and expressing wishes for the franchise’s resurgence. These multifaceted allusions suggest deliberate design choices rather than mere chance.

• Character model explicitly labelled “Nathan Drake” in game files
• Sister character identified as Cassie matches Uncharted 4’s known offspring
• Parents named Nathan and Elena mirror the Fisher-Drake lineage
• Dream sequence identifies protagonist as “Nate D” explicitly

Dataminers Discover Strong Evidence

Character Design Disclosures

The strongest evidence backing the Uncharted theory comes directly from Baby Steps’ source code, where dataminers have discovered the protagonist’s main character model is explicitly named “Nathan Drake” within the source files. This isn’t a subtle reference or an concealed secret within obscure dialogue—it’s a fundamental identifier integrated within the underlying architecture itself. Such direct naming practices typically serve functional purposes in game development, making this discovery especially noteworthy. The reality that Devolver Digital and the development team have allowed such a blatant identifier to stay in the final build calls into question whether this amounts to an deliberate nod to the community or something far more substantial.

Beyond the character model designation, further file discoveries have bolstered the Uncharted connection substantially. Achievement artwork has been examined by eagle-eyed fans, with the “World’s Best Dad” achievement displaying imagery that bears marked resemblance to an older Nathan Drake. These imagery pieces, alongside the direct naming patterns in the code, create a pattern too consistent to dismiss as coincidence. The developers’ apparent refusal to address these discoveries openly has further fuelled speculation within the community, with many reading the silence as tacit acknowledgement rather than explicit rejection of the connection.

• Character model files directly identified “Nathan Drake” in in-game code
• Achievement artwork shows older man matching the appearance of aged Nathan Drake
• Dream sequence dialogue names protagonist as “Nate D” outright
• Family member names align precisely with Uncharted 4 canonical lore
• Developers decline to comment on Uncharted connection questions

The Hidden Cutscene That Started It All

The complete theory achieved significant momentum in the wake of the discovery of a hidden 30-minute cutscene that players could unlock by skipping every single cutscene in Baby Steps—a meta twist that seems completely in keeping with the game’s distinctive creative approach. Rather than satisfying dedicated players with additional gameplay or narrative payoff, the developers instead created an lengthy scene where the voice actors and development team essentially break character entirely. What unfolds is a frank, off-camera conversation that feels remarkably unscripted, offering windows into the artistic approach that shaped Baby Steps’ distinctive character.

Within this extended sequence lies the smoking gun that sent the Baby Steps Discord fanbase into complete overdrive. At one point during the team’s informal conversation, one team member utters a seemingly throwaway line that would reverberate throughout the whole fanbase: “I miss Uncharted. I wish they would bring it back.” The comment, delivered with apparent sincerity rather than irony, immediately sparked wild speculation about whether Baby Steps might embody something far more substantial than a independent standalone title. The developers’ subsequent unwillingness to clarify 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 real nature.

Creator Remarks Turned Problematic

The presence of such an elaborate hidden sequence raises core inquiries about creative vision and creative expression within commercially-supported ventures. If Baby Steps genuinely represents a hidden Uncharted instalment, the creative team may have cleverly embedded these allusions and observations as a form of artistic rebellion—a way of communicating their desire to work on the cherished series whilst operating under the guise of an completely distinct project. The reality that Sony and Naughty Dog have remained conspicuously silent on everything concerning these findings suggests either calculated plausible deniability or genuine surprise at the community’s detective work. Either way, the developers’ refusal to verify or refute the connection has converted conjecture into a cultural phenomenon.

What This Means for Uncharted’s Coming Years

If Baby Steps truly represents a clandestine Uncharted project, it could signal a substantial shift in how major publishers approach dormant franchises. Rather than releasing a standard AAA continuation, Sony and Naughty Dog may have selected a more innovative, alternative strategy—weaving the story expansion within an indie title created by Getting Over It’s Bennett Foddy. This tactic would enable the company to test the waters with new creative directions whilst preserving plausible deniability about the series’ resurgence. The performance of Baby Steps, evaluated both commercially and in critical reception, could potentially warrant a more significant Uncharted announcement in the future.

The Uncharted franchise has remained notably absent from PlayStation’s flagship titles since 2017, with only side projects and tie-ins filling the void. Fans have become more outspoken about their desire for a proper sequel, and the uncovering of these subtle links has rekindled discussion about the series’ prospects. Whether Baby Steps represents genuine development or an elaborate inside joke, it demonstrates that the appetite for new Uncharted content stays robust within the player base. Sony’s lack of comment is particularly telling, suggesting either deliberate mystery-building or an recognition that something significant may indeed be brewing behind the scenes.

Regardless of whether Baby Steps truly represents a secret Uncharted sequel, the phenomenon itself has reinvigorated conversation around the franchise’s legacy and future prospects. The community’s commitment to discovering hidden lore demonstrates the passionate fanbase that awaits any official announcement. Whether Naughty Dog decides to capitalise on this momentum with a true resurgence remains uncertain, but the surge of enthusiasm implies the timing could scarcely be better for the studio to greenlight a proper return to Nathan Drake’s world.