Hideki Kamiya is '100% serious' about reviving cancelled Xbox RPG Scalebound

Game director Hideki Kamiya is seeking to resurrect Scalebound, a high-profile action RPG that Microsoft cancelled nearly a decade ago. The creator of Bayonetta has expressed a renewed openness to collaborating with Xbox to bring the project to completion.

In a recent interview with VGC, Kamiya stated he is "100% serious" about his desire to see the game through. "Now's my opportunity to once again say that if they want to do it, let's make it happen!" Kamiya said, noting it remains unfortunate the project never saw the light of day. While Kamiya has founded his own development studio, Clovers, he indicated a willingness to rekindle a professional relationship with Microsoft to facilitate the revival.

A History of Development Hell

Scalebound was first announced in 2014 as an exclusive title for the Xbox One. The game gained significant attention for its premise, featuring a protagonist who fought alongside a massive dragon. However, after four years of development, Microsoft cancelled the project in 2017. The collapse of Scalebound became a notorious example of "development hell" and high-profile failure during that console generation, leaving fans and industry observers wondering what could have been.

The Shift to Independence

This renewed push comes as Kamiya transitions into a new phase of his career. His new studio, Clovers, is currently focused on the development of Okami 2, a sequel to the critically acclaimed artistic adventure. This move toward independence may provide Kamiya with more flexibility in how he approaches legacy projects. By operating through Clovers, the director is positioned differently than he was during his tenure at PlatinumGames, potentially altering the dynamics of a partnership with a major publisher like Microsoft.

Industry Implications

If Scalebound were to return, it would represent a rare instance of a major AAA project being resurrected years after its official cancellation. Such a move would signal a shift in Xbox's publishing strategy and a willingness to revisit abandoned intellectual property. For the industry, it would be a significant test of whether a project cancelled due to development struggles can be successfully salvaged in a different era of hardware and studio management.

What Remains Unconfirmed

Despite Kamiya's explicit interest, Microsoft has not yet indicated whether they are open to reviving the title. It remains unclear if the original assets and code from the 2017 cancellation are still viable or if the project would require a complete ground-up rebuild. For now, the revival remains a desire of the director rather than an active production.