Baby Steps Harbours Hilarious Uncharted Sequel Theory

A entertaining theory has taken the gaming community by storm, suggesting that Devolver Digital’s indie platformer Baby Steps might actually be a hidden Uncharted follow-up in disguise. The awkward, onesie-wearing protagonist, referred to as Nate, might plausibly be Nathan Drake Jr.—the never-before-mentioned son of PlayStation’s beloved treasure hunter. Loremasters and dataminers have discovered strong evidence, from character models explicitly labelled “Nathan Drake” to a nightmarish vision where the protagonist is called “Nate D.” The theory achieved considerable momentum after the Baby Steps Discord community unearthed references to a woman called Cassie and characters named Nathan and Elena, mirroring the Fisher-Drake family from the Uncharted franchise. Whilst Sony and Naughty Dog have remained silent on the matter, the evidence has become too compelling for fans to ignore.

The Intriguing Case of Nate and His Ancestry

The strongest evidence backing the Uncharted connection exists within Baby Steps’ story elements, which create a strikingly recognisable family portrait. As players progress, players progressively uncover about Nate’s kin through spoken exchanges and character engagement. His sister is directly called Cassie, his father is Nathan, and his mother is Elena—names that align perfectly with the canonical Uncharted universe. These represent more than passing resemblances; they’re exact correspondences to the Fisher-Drake genealogy present in multiple Uncharted titles. The correspondence looks far too precise to be accidental, leading the community to theorise that this represents either a sophisticated in-game nod or an actual, though unconventional, series extension.

What makes this theory particularly intriguing is the sheer volume of supporting details found within Baby Steps’ files and concealed material. Dataminers have discovered character models directly named with Nathan Drake’s name, whilst achievement artwork presents an mature figure 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 extended cutscene —unlocked by skipping every other cutscene in the game—features developers reflecting on their fondness for Uncharted and expressing wishes for the franchise’s revival. These interconnected nods suggest purposeful development selections rather than mere chance.

• Character model clearly identified “Nathan Drake” in game files
• Sister character identified as Cassie aligns with Uncharted 4’s known offspring
• Parents named Nathan and Elena reflect the Fisher-Drake household
• Dream sequence addresses protagonist as “Nate D” directly

Researchers Reveal Convincing Evidence

Character Model Revelations

The strongest evidence underpinning the Uncharted theory emerges from Baby Steps’ underlying code, where analysts have found the protagonist’s main character model is directly identified as “Nathan Drake” within the source files. This goes beyond a subtle reference or an hidden bonus tucked away in obscure dialogue—it’s a fundamental identifier embedded in the underlying architecture itself. Such explicit naming conventions usually perform practical functions in game design, making this discovery especially noteworthy. The fact that Devolver Digital and the development studio have permitted such an obvious identifier to remain in the final build calls into question whether this represents an deliberate nod to the player base or something of greater consequence.

Beyond the character model designation, further file discoveries have reinforced the Uncharted connection substantially. Achievement artwork has been analysed by eagle-eyed fans, with the “World’s Best Dad” achievement displaying imagery that bears strong similarity to an mature Nathan Drake. These graphical elements, combined with the direct naming patterns in the code, create a pattern far too consistent to dismiss as coincidence. The developers’ clear unwillingness to address these discoveries openly has further fuelled speculation within the community, with many reading the silence as implicit acceptance rather than explicit rejection of the connection.

• Character model files explicitly labelled “Nathan Drake” in game code
• Achievement artwork shows older man bearing resemblance to aged Nathan Drake
• Dream sequence dialogue identifies protagonist as “Nate D” outright
• Family member names align precisely with Uncharted 4 established canon
• Developers offer no comment on Uncharted connection questions

The Hidden Cutscene That Initiated It All

The whole theory built substantial momentum in the wake of the finding of a secret 30-minute cutscene that players could unlock by omitting all cutscene in Baby Steps—a meta twist that seems completely in accordance with the game’s distinctive creative approach. Rather than satisfying dedicated players with supplementary gameplay or narrative satisfaction, the developers instead constructed an lengthy scene where the voice actors and development team essentially break character entirely. What transpires is a frank, off-camera conversation that appears authentically spontaneous, offering insights into the artistic approach that shaped Baby Steps’ peculiar existence.

Within this substantial sequence lies the crucial evidence that sent the Baby Steps Discord fanbase into utter overdrive. At one point during the creators’ relaxed exchange, one team member utters a ostensibly casual line that would reverberate throughout the whole fanbase: “I miss Uncharted. I wish they’d bring it back.” The comment, made with genuine earnestness rather than irony, immediately sparked intense speculation about whether Baby Steps might constitute something far more substantial than a self-contained indie title. The creators’ following refusal to elaborate on the statement has only heightened the mystery, leaving fans to wonder whether this was authentic longing or a strategically timed hint about the game’s true nature.

Developer Insights Gone Rogue

The presence of such an elaborate hidden sequence prompts fundamental questions about developer intent and creative expression within commercially-supported ventures. If Baby Steps truly is a secret Uncharted instalment, the developers may have strategically woven these allusions and observations as a form of artistic rebellion—a way of expressing their desire to work on the beloved franchise whilst operating under the guise of an entirely separate project. The fact that Sony and Naughty Dog have stayed notably quiet on everything concerning these discoveries suggests either calculated plausible deniability or authentic astonishment at the fanbase’s investigative efforts. Either way, the creative team’s reluctance to verify or refute the connection has transformed 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 significant shift in how prominent publishers approach dormant franchises. Rather than introducing a traditional AAA sequel, Sony and Naughty Dog may have opted for a more innovative, alternative strategy—integrating the narrative continuation within an independent game made by Getting Over It’s Bennett Foddy. This approach would permit the studio to explore possibilities with novel artistic approaches whilst maintaining credible denial about the series’ resurgence. The success of Baby Steps, assessed in both commercial and critical terms, could possibly warrant a more significant Uncharted announcement 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 desire for a proper sequel, and the uncovering of these subtle links has reignited speculation about the series’ future. Whether Baby Steps signals actual progress or an elaborate inside joke, it shows that the appetite for new Uncharted content remains strong 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 behind the scenes.

Regardless of whether Baby Steps truly functions as a secret Uncharted sequel, the phenomenon itself has reignited discussion around the franchise’s long-term prospects and heritage. The community’s dedication to uncovering hidden lore reflects the devoted fan community that awaits any formal reveal. Whether Naughty Dog decides to capitalise on this momentum with a genuine revival 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.