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. This game, announced in 2014, was poised to be a standout Xbox One exclusive, generating significant buzz among gamers. However, despite the high anticipation, Microsoft officially ceased its development in 2017, leaving fans disappointed.
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 expressed nostalgia for the game's development process and reiterated his pride in the project, despite its cancellation. Adding fuel to the revival rumors, Kamiya retweeted 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 bringing Scalebound back to life, a sentiment he first voiced in early 2022.
Speculation about Scalebound's return has been a recurring topic, with rumors intensifying in early 2023. Several sources hinted at a potential reboot, yet Microsoft remained silent on the matter. When questioned by the Japanese publication Game Watch, Phil Spencer offered a cryptic smile and stated, "I have nothing to add at this time," leaving fans to wonder about the project's future.
Even if Microsoft were to show renewed interest, a swift revival of Scalebound seems unlikely. Currently, Hideki Kamiya is engaged with his studio, Clovers Inc, working on a new installment of Okami. Should Xbox decide to greenlight Scalebound, Kamiya would only be able to commence development after completing his current commitments. Despite these hurdles, the persistent interest in Scalebound over the years offers a glimmer of hope that one day, gamers might finally experience this long-awaited title.