Scalebound was once heralded as one of the most ambitious action projects of its time, seamlessly blending dynamic combat, music, and a groundbreaking system of interaction with a colossal dragon companion. As an Xbox One exclusive, it sparked significant excitement among gamers when it was first announced in 2014. However, despite the high anticipation, Microsoft officially pulled the plug on its development in 2017, leaving fans disappointed and the project in limbo.
Recently, Clovers Inc's official account on X reignited interest by sharing a video of Hideki Kamiya and his team reviewing archived gameplay footage of Scalebound. Kamiya expressed nostalgia for the game's development and reaffirmed his pride in the project, even after its cancellation. Adding fuel to the speculation, Kamiya retweeted the video with a direct message to Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft's gaming division, stating, "Come on, Phil, let's do this!". This call-out suggests Kamiya's ongoing interest in reviving the game, echoing similar sentiments he shared in early 2022 about wanting to discuss a potential return with Microsoft.
Rumors about Scalebound's revival have been circulating frequently, with a notable surge in early 2023 when multiple sources hinted at a possible reboot. Yet, Microsoft has not made any official announcements to confirm these speculations. When asked about Scalebound in an interview with the Japanese publication Game Watch, Phil Spencer simply smiled and said, "I have nothing to add at this time," leaving fans in suspense.
Even if Microsoft does show renewed interest, a swift return of Scalebound is unlikely. Hideki Kamiya is currently focused on developing a new installment of Okami at Clovers Inc. Should Xbox decide to greenlight Scalebound, Kamiya would only be able to start working on it after completing his current projects. Despite the wait, the continued interest and discussions around Scalebound offer hope that one day, gamers might finally get to experience this long-awaited title.
