Scalebound: Possible Development Revival?

Scalebound was once heralded as one of the most ambitious action projects of its time, blending dynamic combat, immersive music, and a unique system where players could interact with a massive dragon companion. As an Xbox One exclusive, it captured the imagination of gamers worldwide when it was announced in 2014. However, despite the high anticipation, Microsoft officially pulled the plug on its development in 2017.

Recently, Clovers Inc's official account on X shared a video featuring Hideki Kamiya and his team revisiting archived gameplay footage of Scalebound. In the video, Kamiya expressed a sense of nostalgia and pride for the project, despite its cancellation. He further amplified his sentiments by retweeting the video with a direct message to Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft's gaming division, saying, "Come on, Phil, let's do this!". This plea underscores Kamiya's ongoing interest in reviving the game, a desire he has voiced before, notably in early 2022 when he expressed a wish to discuss the project's potential revival with Microsoft.

The gaming community has been buzzing with discussions about Scalebound's potential return, with rumors intensifying in early 2023. While several sources hinted at a possible reboot, Microsoft has yet to make any official announcements. In an interview with the Japanese publication Game Watch, Phil Spencer responded to questions about Scalebound with a smile and a non-committal, "I have nothing to add at this time".

Even if Microsoft were to show renewed interest, a swift revival of Scalebound is unlikely. Currently, Hideki Kamiya is engaged with his studio, Clovers Inc, working on a new installment of Okami. Should Xbox decide to greenlight the project, Kamiya would only be able to commence development after completing his current commitments. Yet, the persistent interest and discussions surrounding Scalebound over the years offer a glimmer of hope that one day, fans might finally experience this long-awaited game.