The president of Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios (SCE WWS) has indicated that the next chapter in the Uncharted series – currently in the works for PlayStation 4 – has been in development for three years.

Shuhei Yoshida made the comments during an interview with Inside Games, while discussing PS4’s impressive visual performance.

“After the release of the PS4, the time in which developers are getting accustomed to the hardware is coming. After three years Naughty Dog’s work has finally become exciting, isn’t it?”

Yoshida-san clearly doesn’t mention Uncharted by name, though it seems likely he is referring to Nathan Drake’s next adventure. Furthermore, with Uncharted 3 having wrapped in 2011, the timing seems just right, too.

Elsewhere, the executive spoke on how the likes of The Last of Us and Uncharted have managed to realistically convey emotions similar to those in films, minus some subtle differences — or the ‘uncanny valley phenomenon,’ as it’s known.

He said Quantic Dream’s The Dark Sorcerer tech demo goes one step further however, making it hard to discern whether it is live action or digital.

Naughty Dog has yet to reveal any concrete details on Uncharted 4, and it is unknown when the game will arrive on shelves.

via DualShockers