Scalebound Development: A Possible Revival?

Scalebound was once heralded as one of the most ambitious action projects, seamlessly blending dynamic combat, immersive music, and a unique system for interacting with a colossal dragon companion. As an Xbox One exclusive, it sparked immense interest upon its announcement in 2014. However, despite the excitement, the project was officially discontinued by Microsoft in 2017, leaving fans disappointed and curious about what could have been.

Recently, Clovers Inc's official account on X reignited discussions by posting a video of Hideki Kamiya and his colleagues revisiting archived gameplay footage of Scalebound. In the video, Kamiya expressed nostalgia and pride for the project, despite its cancellation. He further emphasized his ongoing interest 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 isn't the first time Kamiya has voiced his desire to revisit the project; he previously mentioned in early 2022 his wish to discuss its potential revival with Microsoft.

The buzz around Scalebound's potential return has been persistent, with rumors intensifying in early 2023 about a possible reboot. Yet, Microsoft has remained silent on the matter. When questioned by the Japanese publication Game Watch, Phil Spencer simply smiled and stated, "I have nothing to add at this time."

Even if Microsoft does show renewed interest, fans shouldn't expect an immediate revival. Currently, Hideki Kamiya is engaged with a new installment of Okami at Clovers Inc. Should Xbox decide to greenlight Scalebound, Kamiya would only be able to begin work after completing his current commitments. Nonetheless, the continued remembrance of Scalebound after so many years fuels hope that one day, gamers might finally experience this long-awaited title.