Bayonetta mastermind Hideki Kamiya, fresh off his move to Clover Studios, is sending a clear message to new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma: He’s ready to resurrect the long-dormant dragon action game, Scalebound. The legendary developer, known for his passion and dedication to his projects, spoke with [VGC](LINK_1: VGC) about his desire to revisit the ambitious title that was ultimately canceled by Microsoft.
A Dragon’s Legacy
It’s been nearly a decade since Microsoft officially pulled the plug on Scalebound, a game initially unveiled at E3 2014 as an Xbox One exclusive. Despite numerous delays and glimpses of gameplay, the project never saw the light of day. However, Kamiya hasn’t given up hope. “Well, no, but now’s my opportunity to once again say that if they want to do it, let’s make it happen!” he exclaimed in his interview.
Kamiya emphasized that Clover Studios president Kento Koyama shares his enthusiasm for the project and even went so far as to suggest including some of the previously released gameplay footage for Sharma’s review. This clear indication of his commitment highlights the enduring passion surrounding Scalebound, a game that clearly left a lasting impression on both the development team and its potential audience.
While Kamiya may no longer be at PlatinumGames, his move to Clover Studios hasn’t diminished his desire to see Scalebound realized. He’s currently focused on [Okami 2](LINK_8: Okami 2), but the possibility of revisiting the dragon-themed action RPG remains a strong contender for future projects.
A Message to Xbox
During his conversation with VGC, Kamiya recalled a recent dinner with former Scalebound team members. While they discussed various topics, the canceled game inevitably came up, and everyone fondly remembered “how fun it was to work” on it. This sentiment underscores the positive experiences associated with the project, despite its ultimate demise.
“Obviously, there were some tough times as well,” Kamiya acknowledged, “but the fact that people still look back on that time with a lot of fun is something that I find very gratifying as the director of the project.” He expressed his disappointment that the game never launched but reaffirmed his strong desire to see it through if possible.
While Clover Studios may not be in a position to immediately tackle Scalebound, Kamiya remains optimistic. “I strongly believe that if you want something strongly enough, you eventually find a way to make it happen,” he stated, drawing parallels to the revival of the Okami franchise after many years.
A New Era at Xbox
The gaming landscape has shifted significantly since Scalebound’s initial announcement. Asha Sharma recently [took over for Phil Spencer as CEO](LINK_10: took over for Phil Spencer as CEO) at Xbox, ushering in a new era with both exciting changes and difficult decisions. While some moves, such as allowing players to [digitize their physical games](LINK_11: digitize their physical games), have been well-received, others, like the recent [layoffs of 3,200 staff](LINK_12: laying off 3,200 staff) and the closure of studios like [Double Fine](LINK_13: Double Fine) and [Ninja Theory](LINK_14: Ninja Theory), have been met with concern.
Whether Asha Sharma and the rest of Xbox will find room in their plans to resurrect Scalebound remains to be seen. For now, fans can revisit [what Kamiya had to say about the game in 2021](LINK_15: what Kamiya had to say about the game in 2021) and hope that this message reaches the right ears.
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