Scalebound: Hints of a Possible Revival?

Scalebound was once heralded as one of the most ambitious action projects of its time, blending dynamic combat, music, and an innovative system of interaction with a colossal dragon companion. As an Xbox One exclusive, it garnered significant anticipation but unfortunately never saw the light of day. Announced in 2014, the project was officially terminated by Microsoft 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. Kamiya spoke fondly of the game's development process, expressing continued pride in the project despite its cancellation. Adding fuel to the fire, Kamiya retweeted the video, tagging Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft's gaming division, with the message, "Come on, Phil, let's do this!" This direct appeal suggests Kamiya's ongoing interest in reviving the game, echoing sentiments he shared back in early 2022 about wanting to discuss a potential revival with Microsoft.

Speculation about Scalebound's return has been a recurring theme, with rumors intensifying in early 2023. Multiple sources hinted at a possible reboot, yet Microsoft remained silent on the matter. In an interview with Game Watch, when asked about Scalebound, Phil Spencer simply smiled and stated, "I have nothing to add at this time," leaving fans hanging.

Even if Microsoft shows interest, a swift revival of Scalebound is unlikely. Currently, Hideki Kamiya is engaged with his studio, Clovers Inc, working on a new Okami installment. Should Xbox greenlight the project, Kamiya would only be able to begin work on Scalebound after wrapping up his current commitments. However, the fact that Scalebound remains in the conversation years later offers hope that one day, gamers might finally experience this long-awaited title.