Scalebound Development: Hopes for a Revival?

Scalebound was once hailed as one of the most ambitious action projects, blending dynamic combat, captivating music, and a unique system where players could interact with a massive dragon companion. As an Xbox One exclusive, it sparked immense interest upon its announcement in 2014. However, after years of anticipation, Microsoft officially halted its development in 2017, leaving fans disappointed and the project shrouded in mystery.

Recently, the official X account of Clovers Inc shared a video featuring Hideki Kamiya and his team revisiting archived gameplay footage of Scalebound. In the video, Kamiya reminisced about the game's creation process with nostalgia and pride, despite its cancellation. He further emphasized his attachment to the project by retweeting the video with a direct message to Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft's gaming division: "Come on, Phil, let's do this!". This plea indicates Kamiya's ongoing interest in reviving the game, echoing his earlier sentiments from early 2022 when he expressed a willingness to discuss a potential restart with Microsoft.

Rumors about Scalebound's revival have resurfaced periodically, gaining momentum in early 2023 when several sources hinted at a possible reboot. However, Microsoft has yet to make any official announcements regarding the project's future. When questioned about Scalebound in an interview with the Japanese publication Game Watch, Phil Spencer responded with a smile and a brief, "I have nothing to add at this time," leaving fans to speculate on the project's fate.

Even if Microsoft shows renewed interest, fans shouldn't expect an immediate return of Scalebound. Currently, Hideki Kamiya is focused on developing a new installment of Okami at Clovers Inc. Should Xbox greenlight the project, Kamiya would only be able to commence work on Scalebound after completing his current commitments. Nevertheless, the persistent interest and discussion around Scalebound over the years offer hope that one day, players might finally experience this long-awaited title.