Scalebound was once heralded as one of the most ambitious action projects of its time, blending dynamic combat, immersive music, and a novel interaction system with a colossal dragon companion. As an Xbox One exclusive, it sparked immense anticipation upon its announcement in 2014. Unfortunately, after years of development, Microsoft officially ceased its progress in 2017, leaving fans disappointed.
Recently, Clovers Inc's official account on X shared a video where Hideki Kamiya, along with his team, revisited archived gameplay footage of Scalebound. Kamiya reminisced about the development process with fondness and reiterated his pride in the project, despite its cancellation. He further amplified his sentiments by retweeting the video with a direct message to Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft's gaming division, saying, "Come on, Phil, let's do this!". This call to action suggests Kamiya's ongoing interest in resurrecting the game, a sentiment he has voiced before, notably in early 2022 when he expressed a willingness to negotiate with Microsoft about potentially resuming development.
The topic of Scalebound's revival surfaces periodically, with speculation intensifying in early 2023. Several sources hinted at a possible reboot, although no official confirmation from Microsoft has been forthcoming. When queried by the Japanese publication Game Watch, Phil Spencer responded with a smile and a non-committal, "I have nothing to add at this time".
Should Microsoft express renewed interest, fans should temper their expectations for a swift return. Hideki Kamiya is currently engaged with developing a new installment of Okami at Clovers Inc. Any potential work on Scalebound would have to wait until after his current commitments are fulfilled. Nonetheless, the continued remembrance of Scalebound after all these years offers a glimmer of hope that one day, gamers might finally experience its long-awaited release.
