Scalebound: Hints of a Possible Revival?

Scalebound was once heralded as one of the most ambitious action projects of its era, blending dynamic combat, captivating music, and a unique system of interaction with a colossal dragon companion. This title was poised to be a standout Xbox One exclusive that sparked significant anticipation, yet it never saw the light of day. Announced in 2014, the project was officially discontinued by Microsoft 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. During the session, Kamiya reflected nostalgically on the game's development and expressed ongoing pride in the project, despite its cancellation. He further amplified this sentiment by retweeting the video and tagging Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft's gaming division, with the message: "Come on, Phil, let's do this!". This direct appeal suggests Kamiya's keen interest in reviving the game, a desire he has voiced before, notably in early 2022, when he expressed a wish to negotiate with Microsoft about resuming development.

The conversation around Scalebound's potential revival has been ongoing, with rumors intensifying in early 2023 about a possible reboot. However, 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 return of Scalebound is unlikely. Currently, Hideki Kamiya is engaged with his studio, Clovers Inc, on a new installment of Okami. Should Xbox greenlight the project, Kamiya would only be able to commence work on Scalebound after concluding his current commitments. Despite the passage of time, the persistent interest in Scalebound offers hope that one day, gamers might finally experience this long-awaited title.