Scalebound was once heralded as one of the most ambitious action projects of its era, masterfully blending dynamic combat, immersive music, and a unique system of interaction with a massive dragon companion. As an Xbox One exclusive, it sparked significant excitement upon its announcement in 2014. However, despite the high anticipation, Microsoft officially ceased its development in 2017, leaving fans and gamers disappointed.
Recently, the official X account of Clovers Inc shared a video featuring Hideki Kamiya and his team reviewing archived gameplay footage of Scalebound. Kamiya nostalgically reminisced about the game's creation and expressed continued pride in the project, despite its cancellation. He further amplified the buzz by retweeting the video and directly addressing Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft's gaming division, with a poignant message: "Come on, Phil, let's do this!". This plea underscores Kamiya's persistent interest in reviving the game, a sentiment he has voiced before, notably in early 2022 when he expressed a desire to discuss the project's potential revival with Microsoft.
Speculation about Scalebound's return has been ongoing, with rumors intensifying in early 2023 when several sources suggested a possible reboot, though no official confirmation from Microsoft has followed. In an interview with Game Watch, a Japanese publication, Phil Spencer responded to questions about Scalebound with a smile and the statement, "I have nothing to add at this time," leaving fans hopeful but without concrete answers.
Even if Microsoft were to show renewed interest, a swift revival of Scalebound is unlikely. Currently, Hideki Kamiya is engaged in developing a new installment of Okami at Clovers Inc. Should Xbox greenlight the project, Kamiya could only begin working on Scalebound after completing his current commitments. Despite these hurdles, the ongoing discussions and Kamiya's dedication suggest that there remains a glimmer of hope that one day, players might finally experience the long-awaited release of Scalebound.
