Fans of Scalebound, one of the most anticipated games of the Xbox One era, have long held out hope for the return of the action RPG. While the game was ultimately canceled in 2017, the flame of hope has been reignited recently by none other than the director of Scalebound himself. Hideki Kamiya, the legendary game designer behind Scalebound and Bayonetta, has called on Xbox boss Phil Spencer to reconsider the game’s fate and bring it back to life.
This surprising appeal comes years after the game’s abrupt cancellation, leaving many to wonder what might have been. Could Scalebound ever see the light of day again? And why is the director now pushing for its revival?
A Brief History of Scalebound
For those unfamiliar with Scalebound, the game was first revealed at E3 2014, showcasing an action-packed adventure set in a world filled with dragons and mythical creatures. The game’s protagonist, Drew, was a young man with the ability to communicate and fight alongside a dragon companion named Thuban. The gameplay promised a unique blend of fast-paced combat, exploration, and strategic dragon-based mechanics, capturing the attention of many RPG and action game enthusiasts.
Developed by PlatinumGames and published by Microsoft Studios for Xbox One, Scalebound was initially positioned as a major exclusive for the console. Its blend of action, co-op multiplayer, and the intriguing dynamic between the protagonist and his dragon was an ambitious concept that had gamers excited. However, after several delays, development struggles, and reports of internal issues, the game was officially canceled in early 2017, much to the disappointment of fans.
Since then, Scalebound has remained a “what could have been” in the world of video games. Yet, over the years, the idea of the game being revived or reimagined never completely faded from discussions, and now, thanks to Kamiya’s recent comments, those hopes have been rekindled.
Kamiya’s Plea to Phil Spencer
In a recent social media post, Hideki Kamiya, the director of Scalebound, directly called out Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, asking him to consider bringing Scalebound back. The post, which came after a period of silence on the game’s fate, sparked immediate interest among fans who have never stopped longing for the game’s return.
Kamiya, known for his passionate and sometimes playful interactions with fans, emphasized that Scalebound had always been a project close to his heart. He expressed regret over the game’s cancellation and suggested that both PlatinumGames and Xbox could work together to revisit the concept, possibly even bringing it to a new generation of gaming consoles.
“Scalebound was a project I deeply believed in,” Kamiya said in his message. “I still think there’s potential for this world, and if there’s a chance to bring it back, I would love to try again. Phil, let’s make it happen!”
This message was met with widespread excitement from the Scalebound community and fans of Kamiya’s work. But it also raised some interesting questions: What would it take for Scalebound to return? Could Xbox and PlatinumGames find a way to resurrect the game, or is it better to move on and focus on new IPs?
While the chances of Scalebound making a return are uncertain, it’s not completely outside the realm of possibility. The video game industry has seen several cancelled or dormant projects revived in recent years, such as the Final Fantasy VII Remake, No Man’s Sky’s incredible post-launch recovery, and the resurgence of the Tunic game. If both Microsoft and PlatinumGames are willing to revisit the project, there’s a chance that Scalebound could return in some form—whether as a full reboot, or even a scaled-back version for modern consoles.
Additionally, there’s the matter of Xbox’s current strategy. Under Phil Spencer’s leadership, Xbox has embraced a more flexible approach to game development, with a focus on broadening its gaming ecosystem through acquisitions (like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard), cross-platform services like Xbox Game Pass, and a focus on supporting both AAA and indie developers. Bringing Scalebound back could help demonstrate Xbox’s ongoing commitment to developing unique, exclusive titles and make a strong case for the Xbox Series X|S and Game Pass services.
However, Scalebound would likely need to undergo significant changes to meet the standards of today’s gaming market. It’s possible that the original design, gameplay mechanics, and scope may need to be reevaluated to align with modern expectations. But with PlatinumGames’ track record, there’s no doubt that the studio could rise to the challenge.
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