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. As an Xbox One exclusive, it sparked immense interest but unfortunately never saw the light of day. Announced in 2014, the project was officially canceled by Microsoft in 2017.
Recently, Clovers Inc's official account on X shared a video featuring Hideki Kamiya and his colleagues revisiting archived gameplay footage of Scalebound. During the session, Kamiya reminisced about the game's creation with nostalgia and expressed continued pride in the project, despite its cancellation. Kamiya further amplified his sentiments by retweeting the video with a direct message to Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft's gaming division, saying, "Come on, Phil, let's do this!". This plea indicates Kamiya's ongoing interest in potentially reviving the game, a sentiment he has voiced before, notably in early 2022 when he expressed a desire to discuss the project's revival with Microsoft.
Talks about bringing Scalebound back have resurfaced multiple times, with rumors intensifying in early 2023. Several sources hinted at a possible reboot, yet no official confirmation from Microsoft has emerged. When questioned about Scalebound in an interview with the Japanese publication Game Watch, Phil Spencer offered a cryptic smile and stated, "I have nothing to add at this time".
Even if Microsoft were to show renewed interest, fans shouldn't expect a swift return of the game. Currently, Hideki Kamiya is engaged with the development of a new Okami installment at Clovers Inc. Should Xbox greenlight the project, Kamiya's involvement would only commence post-completion of his current commitments. Despite the passage of time, the persistent discussions around Scalebound offer a glimmer of hope that one day, gamers might witness the release of this long-awaited title.
