Baby Steps Harbours Hilarious Uncharted Sequel Theory

A entertaining 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, called Nate, could quite possibly be Nathan Drake Jr.—the hitherto unknown son of PlayStation’s cherished adventurer. Loremasters and dataminers have uncovered compelling evidence, including character models explicitly tagged “Nathan Drake” to a dream scene where the protagonist is called “Nate D.” The theory gained significant traction after the Baby Steps Discord community discovered references to a sister named Cassie and parents named Nathan and Elena, echoing the Fisher-Drake family from the Uncharted franchise. Whilst Sony and Naughty Dog have said nothing on the matter, the evidence has proven too enticing for fans to ignore.

The Fascinating Case of Nate and His Ancestry

The strongest evidence underpinning the Uncharted connection lies in Baby Steps’ plot specifics, which paint a remarkably familiar family portrait. As players progress, players progressively uncover about Nate’s family members through conversations and character exchanges. His sister is directly called Cassie, his father is Nathan, and his mother is Elena—names that align perfectly with the existing Uncharted lore. These are not loose parallels; they’re direct matches to the Fisher-Drake genealogy found throughout multiple Uncharted titles. The correspondence looks far too exact to be accidental, leading the community to theorise that this represents either a sophisticated in-game nod or a real, though unorthodox, franchise expansion.

What creates this theory especially compelling is the sheer volume of supporting details dispersed across Baby Steps’ files and obscured elements. Dataminers have revealed character models directly named with Nathan Drake’s name, whilst achievement artwork depicts an older man bearing striking resemblance 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 extended cutscene —unlocked by skipping every other cutscene in the game—features developers reflecting on their fondness for Uncharted and articulating hopes for the franchise’s return. These layered references suggest deliberate design choices rather than mere chance.

• Character model clearly identified “Nathan Drake” in game files
• Sister character named Cassie matches Uncharted 4’s canonical daughter
• Parents named Nathan and Elena echo the Fisher-Drake lineage
• Dream sequence addresses protagonist as “Nate D” explicitly

Dataminers Discover Strong Evidence

Character Design Disclosures

The strongest evidence supporting the Uncharted theory is found in Baby Steps’ source code, where dataminers have discovered the protagonist’s main character model is explicitly named “Nathan Drake” within the source files. This is far more than a subtle nod or an hidden bonus tucked away in obscure dialogue—it’s a essential designation embedded in the underlying architecture itself. Such direct naming practices typically serve functional purposes in video game creation, making this discovery particularly significant. The circumstance that Devolver Digital and the creative team have allowed such a blatant identifier to stay in the final build raises questions about whether this constitutes an intentional wink to the player base or something considerably more significant.

Beyond the character model designation, extra file discoveries have reinforced the Uncharted connection substantially. Achievement artwork has been examined by dedicated enthusiasts, with the “World’s Best Dad” achievement displaying imagery that bears marked resemblance to an mature Nathan Drake. These imagery pieces, paired with the explicit naming conventions in the code, create a pattern too consistent to dismiss as coincidence. The developers’ seeming reluctance to address these discoveries openly has further fuelled speculation within the community, with many viewing the silence as tacit acknowledgement rather than direct denial of the connection.

• Character model files directly identified “Nathan Drake” in game code
• Achievement artwork shows aging male character resembling aged Nathan Drake
• Dream sequence dialogue identifies protagonist as “Nate D” outright
• Family member names correspond exactly to Uncharted 4 canonical lore
• Developers offer no comment on all Uncharted connection inquiries

The Mysterious Cutscene That Started It All

The complete theory built substantial momentum following the uncovering of a secret 30-minute cutscene that players could obtain by bypassing each cutscene in Baby Steps—a meta twist that feels entirely in keeping with the game’s distinctive creative approach. Rather than rewarding completionists with additional gameplay or narrative payoff, the developers instead created an extended sequence where the voice actors and production team essentially break character entirely. What unfolds is a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation that seems genuinely unrehearsed, offering insights into the creative process that shaped Baby Steps’ distinctive character.

Within this lengthy section lies the smoking gun that sent the Baby Steps Discord fanbase into utter overdrive. At one point during the team’s informal discussion, one team member utters a ostensibly casual line that would resound through the entire fanbase: “I miss Uncharted. I wish they would bring it back.” The comment, expressed with apparent sincerity rather than irony, immediately sparked rampant speculation about whether Baby Steps might embody something considerably more significant than a self-contained indie 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.

Developer Commentary Turned Problematic

The presence of such an elaborate hidden sequence prompts fundamental questions about developer intent and artistic output within corporate-backed projects. If Baby Steps genuinely represents a hidden Uncharted instalment, the creative team may have strategically woven these references and commentary as a means of creative defiance—a way of expressing their ambition to develop the cherished series whilst functioning under the guise of an entirely separate project. The reality that Sony and Naughty Dog have remained conspicuously silent on all matters relating to these findings suggests either calculated plausible deniability or authentic astonishment at the fanbase’s investigative efforts. Either way, the developers’ refusal to confirm or deny the link has transformed conjecture into a cultural phenomenon.

What This Indicates for Uncharted’s Coming Years

If Baby Steps actually represents a secret Uncharted project, it could indicate a substantial shift in how major publishers approach inactive series. Rather than launching a traditional AAA sequel, Sony and Naughty Dog may have selected a more experimental, unconventional approach—embedding the story expansion within an indie project developed by Getting Over It’s Bennett Foddy. This tactic would enable the studio to explore possibilities with novel artistic approaches whilst maintaining reasonable doubt about the series’ resurgence. The reception of Baby Steps, evaluated both commercially and in critical reception, could conceivably justify a more substantial Uncharted announcement in the future.

The Uncharted franchise has stayed conspicuously absent from PlayStation’s flagship titles since 2017, with only spin-offs and adaptations 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 gaming community. Sony’s silence on the matter is notably significant, suggesting either deliberate mystery-building or an acknowledgement that something significant may indeed be brewing behind the scenes.

Regardless of whether Baby Steps truly operates as a secret Uncharted sequel, the phenomenon itself has reignited discussion around the franchise’s long-term prospects and heritage. The community’s commitment to discovering hidden lore reflects the devoted fan community that awaits any formal reveal. Whether Naughty Dog opts to exploit this momentum with a authentic comeback remains uncertain, but the surge of enthusiasm suggests the timing could scarcely be better for the studio to greenlight a full comeback to Nathan Drake’s world.