Scalebound was once heralded as one of the most ambitious action projects of its time, blending dynamic combat, immersive music, and a unique system of interaction with a massive dragon companion. Announced in 2014 as an Xbox One exclusive, it sparked significant interest but was ultimately canceled by Microsoft in 2017, leaving fans disappointed and curious about what could have been.
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 fondly reminisced about the game's development process and expressed continued 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 plea underscores Kamiya's ongoing interest in reviving the game, a desire he has voiced before, notably in early 2022, when he expressed a wish to discuss the project's revival with Microsoft.
Rumors about Scalebound's potential return have circulated frequently, with speculation intensifying in early 2023. Various sources hinted at a possible reboot, though Microsoft remained silent on the matter. When questioned about Scalebound in an interview with Game Watch, Phil Spencer offered a non-committal smile and stated, "I have nothing to add at this time."
Even if Microsoft shows renewed interest, a swift revival of Scalebound isn't on the horizon. Currently, Hideki Kamiya is focused on developing a new installment of Okami at Clovers Inc. Should Xbox give the green light to Scalebound, Kamiya's involvement would only commence after completing his current commitments. Nonetheless, the enduring interest in Scalebound after all these years keeps the hope alive that one day, gamers might finally experience the much-anticipated release.
