Scalebound, once heralded as one of the most ambitious action projects of its time, seamlessly integrated dynamic combat, captivating music, and a unique system of interaction with a massive dragon companion. This Xbox One exclusive garnered significant excitement upon its announcement in 2014, but despite the anticipation, Microsoft officially ceased its development in 2017.
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 fondly reminisced about the game's development process, expressing continued pride in the project despite its cancellation. Kamiya later amplified this sentiment by retweeting the video with a poignant message directed at 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 the game, a desire he has voiced as early as 2022, when he mentioned his willingness to discuss resuming development with Microsoft.
Speculation about Scalebound's potential return has been a recurring topic, with rumors intensifying in early 2023. Although various sources hinted at a possible reboot, no official confirmation from Microsoft has emerged. When queried about Scalebound in an interview with the Japanese publication Game Watch, Phil Spencer offered a cryptic smile and remarked, "I have nothing to add at this time".
Should Microsoft express interest in resurrecting Scalebound, a swift revival seems unlikely. Currently, Hideki Kamiya is engaged with his studio, Clovers Inc, working on a new installment of Okami. Only after completing this project could Kamiya potentially turn his attention back to Scalebound. Yet, the enduring memory of the game among fans and developers alike keeps the hope alive for a future release.
