Scalebound was once heralded as one of the most ambitious action projects of its time, blending dynamic combat, immersive music, and a unique system of interaction with a massive dragon companion. As an Xbox One exclusive, it captured the imagination of gamers worldwide when it was announced in 2014. However, despite the high anticipation, Microsoft officially pulled the plug on its development in 2017.
Recently, the official account of Clovers Inc on X shared a video featuring Hideki Kamiya and his colleagues revisiting archived gameplay footage of Scalebound. In the video, Kamiya reminisced about the game's creation process with a sense of nostalgia and pride, despite its cancellation. He further amplified his sentiments by retweeting the video with a direct message to Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft's gaming division, saying, "Come on, Phil, let's do this!". This plea underscores Kamiya's ongoing interest in reviving the project, a desire he has expressed before, notably in early 2022 when he mentioned wanting to discuss the possibility of resuming development with Microsoft.
The gaming community has been buzzing with discussions about Scalebound's potential return, with rumors intensifying in early 2023. Several sources hinted at a possible reboot, though Microsoft has yet to make any official announcements. When questioned about Scalebound in an interview with the Japanese publication Game Watch, Phil Spencer offered a cryptic smile and stated, "I have nothing to add at this time".
Even if Microsoft shows renewed interest, fans shouldn't expect a swift revival. Currently, Hideki Kamiya is engaged with his studio, Clovers Inc, working on a new installment of Okami. Should Xbox decide to greenlight Scalebound, Kamiya would only be able to commence development after completing his current commitments. Yet, the enduring interest in Scalebound after all these years keeps the hope alive that one day, gamers might finally experience this long-awaited title.
