Scalebound Development: A Possible Revival?

Scalebound was once heralded as one of the most ambitious action projects of its time, blending dynamic combat, immersive music, and a groundbreaking system for interacting with a colossal dragon companion. This ambitious title was positioned as a rare Xbox One exclusive that sparked significant excitement but, unfortunately, never saw the light of day. Announced in 2014, the project was officially discontinued by Microsoft in 2017 after several years of development.

Recently, the official Clovers Inc account on X shared a video featuring Hideki Kamiya and his colleagues reminiscing over archived gameplay footage of Scalebound. In the video, Kamiya expressed nostalgia for the game's development process and conveyed a sense of pride in the project, despite its cancellation. Kamiya amplified the message by retweeting the video with a poignant call to action: "Come on, Phil, let's do this!" This statement was directed at Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft's gaming division, signaling Kamiya's ongoing interest in resurrecting the game. This isn't the first time Kamiya has voiced his desire to revisit the canceled project; in early 2022, he expressed a willingness to negotiate with Microsoft about potentially resuming development.

Speculation about Scalebound's revival has persisted, with rumors intensifying in early 2023 when multiple sources suggested a possible reboot. However, no official confirmation from Microsoft has followed these whispers. In an interview with the Japanese publication Game Watch, Phil Spencer was questioned about Scalebound but responded with a smile and the statement, "I have nothing to add at this time."

Even if Microsoft were to express renewed interest, a swift return of Scalebound seems unlikely. Currently, Hideki Kamiya is engaged with his studio, Clovers Inc, working on a new installment of Okami. Should Xbox approve the project's revival, Kamiya would only be able to commence work on Scalebound after completing his current commitments. Despite these challenges, the enduring memory of Scalebound among its creators and fans alike offers hope that one day, this long-awaited game might finally make its debut.