Scalebound was once heralded as one of the most ambitious action projects of its time, blending dynamic combat, immersive music, and a unique system of interaction with a massive dragon companion. This title was poised to be a standout Xbox One exclusive, generating significant buzz upon its announcement in 2014. However, after years of 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 reminisced about the game's development process with a sense of pride, despite its cancellation. He further amplified his sentiments by retweeting the video with a direct message to Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft's gaming division, saying, "Come on, Phil, let's do this!". This plea underscores Kamiya's ongoing interest in reviving the project, a sentiment he has expressed before, notably in early 2022 when he voiced his desire to discuss a potential revival with Microsoft.
The conversation around Scalebound's potential return has been reignited periodically, with rumors intensifying in early 2023 about a possible reboot. Despite these whispers, Microsoft has yet to make any official announcements. When questioned by the Japanese publication Game Watch, Phil Spencer responded 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 greenlight the project, Kamiya would only be able to commence work on Scalebound after completing his current commitments. Nonetheless, the enduring interest in Scalebound over the years offers a glimmer of hope that one day, fans might finally experience this long-awaited game.
