Scalebound: Possible Development Revival?

Scalebound was once heralded as one of the most ambitious action projects of its time, weaving together dynamic combat, captivating music, and a novel system of interaction with a colossal dragon companion. This project, announced in 2014, was set to be a standout Xbox One exclusive, sparking immense anticipation. However, after several years of development, Microsoft officially ceased its progress in 2017, leaving fans disappointed.

Recently, Clovers Inc's official account on X shared a video featuring Hideki Kamiya and his team revisiting archived gameplay footage of Scalebound. In the video, Kamiya expressed a fond nostalgia for the project's development process and reaffirmed his pride in the work, despite its cancellation. Kamiya further amplified the message by retweeting the video with a poignant plea: "Come on, Phil, let's do this!" This was a direct call to Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft's gaming division, signaling Kamiya's ongoing interest in reviving the game. This isn't the first instance of Kamiya expressing his desire to revisit the project; he mentioned similar sentiments as early as 2022, suggesting a potential discussion with Microsoft about resuming development.

The topic of Scalebound's potential return has been a recurring theme, with rumors intensifying in early 2023. Several sources hinted at a possible reboot, though Microsoft remained silent on the matter. In an interview with the Japanese publication Game Watch, when asked about Scalebound, Phil Spencer responded with a smile and a non-committal, "I have nothing to add at this time."

Even if Microsoft were to show interest in reviving Scalebound, a swift return of the game is unlikely. Currently, Hideki Kamiya is immersed in 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 wrapping up his current commitments. Nonetheless, the enduring interest in Scalebound over the years offers a glimmer of hope that one day, fans might finally witness its long-awaited release.