Possible Revival of Scalebound Development?

Scalebound was once one of the most ambitious action projects, blending dynamic combat, music, and a unique system of interaction with a massive dragon companion. This title was set to be an Xbox One exclusive that sparked significant excitement but ultimately never saw the light of day. Announced in 2014, its development was officially terminated by Microsoft in 2017.

Recently, the official account of Clovers Inc on X shared a video featuring Hideki Kamiya and his colleagues revisiting archived gameplay footage of Scalebound. Kamiya reminisced about the game's development process with nostalgia and expressed ongoing pride in the project, despite its cancellation. He 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 was a clear indication of his interest in reviving the project, echoing his earlier comments in early 2022 where he expressed a desire to discuss the game's potential revival with Microsoft.

Discussions about bringing back Scalebound have surfaced periodically, with rumors intensifying in early 2023. At that time, several sources suggested a possible reboot, though Microsoft has yet to make any official announcements. In an interview with the Japanese publication Game Watch, when questioned about Scalebound, Phil Spencer simply smiled and stated, "I have nothing to add at this time".

Even if Microsoft shows renewed interest, a swift return of Scalebound is unlikely. Currently, Hideki Kamiya is focused on developing a new installment of Okami at his studio, Clovers Inc. Should Xbox greenlight the project, Kamiya would only be able to begin work on Scalebound after completing his current commitments. Yet, the persistent interest in the game after all these years keeps the hope alive that one day, players might finally experience this long-awaited title.