Scalebound: Hints of a Possible Revival?

Scalebound, once hailed as one of the most ambitious action projects of its era, promised a blend of dynamic combat, captivating music, and a unique interaction system with a colossal dragon companion. As one of the rare Xbox One exclusives, it sparked significant excitement among gamers upon its announcement in 2014. However, after several years of anticipation, Microsoft officially pulled the plug on its development in 2017.

Recently, Clovers Inc's official account on X shared a video featuring Hideki Kamiya and his colleagues revisiting archived gameplay footage of Scalebound. In the video, Kamiya expressed nostalgia for the game's development process and proudly reaffirmed his connection to the project, despite its cancellation. Kamiya later amplified the message by retweeting the video with a pointed message to Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft's gaming division: "Come on, Phil, let's do this!". This direct appeal underscores Kamiya's ongoing interest in reviving Scalebound, a sentiment he has voiced before. Early in 2022, he mentioned his willingness to negotiate with Microsoft to potentially resume work on the project.

Rumors of Scalebound's possible return have circulated frequently, with discussions intensifying in early 2023. At that time, multiple sources suggested a potential reboot, though Microsoft remained silent on the matter. 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," leaving fans to speculate.

A swift revival of Scalebound is unlikely, even if Microsoft shows interest. Currently, Hideki Kamiya is engaged in developing a new installment of Okami at Clovers Inc. Should Xbox decide to greenlight Scalebound, Kamiya would only be able to start working on it after finishing his current project. Despite these challenges, the enduring interest in Scalebound offers a glimmer of hope that one day, players might witness its long-awaited release.