Scalebound Development: A Possible Revival?

Scalebound was once heralded as one of the most ambitious action projects of its time, weaving together dynamic combat, immersive music, and a novel system of interaction with a colossal dragon companion. As an Xbox One exclusive announced in 2014, it stirred significant excitement among gamers. However, after years of anticipation, Microsoft officially ceased its development in 2017, leaving fans disappointed and curious about what could have been.

Recently, Clovers Inc's official account on X shared a video featuring Hideki Kamiya and his team revisiting archived gameplay footage of Scalebound. Kamiya, reflecting on the game's development, expressed a continued sense of pride in the project, despite its cancellation. His sentiment was underscored when he retweeted the video with a message directed at Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft's gaming division: "Come on, Phil, let's do this!". This plea hints at Kamiya's ongoing interest in reviving the game, echoing similar sentiments he shared in early 2022 about wanting to discuss a potential return with Microsoft.

Speculation about Scalebound's revival has been persistent, with rumors intensifying in early 2023. Various sources suggested a possible reboot, though Microsoft remained silent on the matter. In an interview with the Japanese publication Game Watch, when asked about Scalebound, Phil Spencer offered a cryptic smile and stated, "I have nothing to add at this time," leaving fans to continue their speculation.

Even if Microsoft were to show renewed interest, a swift revival of Scalebound isn't on the horizon. Hideki Kamiya is currently focused on developing a new installment of Okami at Clovers Inc. Should Xbox greenlight the project, Kamiya would need to complete his current commitments before diving back into Scalebound. Nonetheless, the enduring interest and discussions surrounding the game after all these years fuel hope that one day, gamers might finally experience the long-awaited release of Scalebound.