Scalebound was once heralded as one of the most ambitious action projects of its time, blending dynamic combat, music, and a unique system of interaction with a massive dragon companion. As an Xbox One exclusive, it sparked immense interest upon its announcement in 2014. However, after several years of development, Microsoft officially pulled the plug in 2017, leaving fans disappointed and curious about what could have been.
Recently, the official account of Clovers Inc on X shared a video featuring Hideki Kamiya and his colleagues reviewing archived gameplay footage of Scalebound. In the video, Kamiya reminisced about the game's creation process with nostalgia and expressed continued pride in the project, despite its cancellation. Adding fuel to the fire, Kamiya retweeted 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 indicates Kamiya's ongoing interest in reviving the game, a sentiment he has voiced before, notably in early 2022 when he expressed a desire to discuss the project's potential revival with Microsoft.
Rumors about Scalebound's return have been circulating, with discussions heating up in early 2023 when several sources hinted at a possible reboot. However, no official statements from Microsoft have confirmed these speculations. In an interview with the Japanese publication Game Watch, Phil Spencer responded to questions about Scalebound 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, fans shouldn't expect a swift return. Currently, Hideki Kamiya is engaged with his studio, Clovers Inc, working on a new installment of Okami. Should Xbox greenlight the project, Kamiya would only be able to start development after completing his current commitments. Despite the long wait, the fact that Scalebound remains in the minds of both its creators and fans offers hope that one day, this long-awaited game might finally see the light of day.
