Nearly ten years after the cancellation of Scalebound, acclaimed video game director Hideki Kamiya still maintains a strong interest in reviving the ill-fated action title, which never progressed beyond development during the joint venture between PlatinumGames and Xbox. Recent remarks point to Kamiya’s undiminished enthusiasm for finally delivering the project.
Scalebound Revival: Kamiya’s Continued Advocacy
In a conversation with Video Games Chronicle (VGC), Kamiya—celebrated for directing iconic franchises like Bayonetta, Resident Evil 2, Devil May Cry, and Okami—reiterated his ongoing passion for seeing Scalebound through. Though he confessed that recent dialogue with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has not occurred, he made clear his willingness to reignite the partnership, stating: “Now’s my opportunity to once again say that if they want to do it, let’s make it happen!”
He also shared his disappointment over the title’s fate: “It’s very unfortunate that the project was unable to see the light of day ultimately, and that is something that even now I still very strongly desire to be able to see through if it’s at all possible, and I’m being 100% serious when I say that.”
Clovers’ Current Focus and Scalebound’s Status
After parting ways with PlatinumGames, Kamiya co-founded Clovers, which brought together several former Platinum staff. The Clovers team is now actively working alongside Capcom to develop Okami 2, aiming to bring another much-loved series back to life. Discussing Scalebound’s future, Kamiya admitted the studio’s current commitments prevent immediate action, mentioning, “Clovers might not be in a position to do that right this second,” due to the intense concentration required for their existing project.
Even so, Kamiya’s resolve endures. He noted, “I strongly believe that if you want something strongly enough, you eventually find a way to make it happen. That’s the case with Okami right now, where even after all these years, the opportunity once again presented itself, and I hope that will be the case with Scalebound in the future as well.”
Scalebound: Unrealized Ambitions and Industry Reflections
Unveiled as a high-profile exclusive for Xbox One in 2014, Scalebound promised a blend of RPG mechanics with third-person action, captivating fans across its four-year development cycle. The game highlighted a contemporary protagonist equipped with headphones, joined by a massive dragon ally, and featured intense team-based and fantasy-driven combat—as previewed in an early gameplay trailer shown during E3 2014 (Watch on YouTube).
However, anticipation was cut short when Microsoft cancelled the project in 2017. Both PlatinumGames and Microsoft were said to share responsibility for the cancellation. Years afterward, then-PlatinumGames CEO Atsushi Inaba commented that the reasons behind the title’s failure involved missteps from both sides (see interview).
What Lies Ahead?
Kamiya’s recent statements make it clear that, although Scalebound’s resurrection has not been formally set in motion, the creative spark remains. With Clovers concentrating their efforts on Okami 2, Scalebound’s revival is still on hold. Nevertheless, admirers of Kamiya’s past achievements and action game enthusiasts alike remain hopeful for signs that this eagerly awaited title could eventually return.