Nearly ten years after Microsoft pulled the plug on one of the most talked-about cancellations of the Xbox One era, Hideki Kamiya is making it clear he hasn’t given up on Scalebound. The legendary director, best known for Bayonetta and the original Devil May Cry, says he is “100% serious” about resurrecting the dragon-themed action game — and the gaming community is paying close attention.
Scalebound: The Cancellation That Still Stings
First announced back in 2013, Scalebound was shaping up to be one of PlatinumGames’ most ambitious projects. The Xbox One exclusive put players in the boots of Drew, a cocky young hero bonded to a massive dragon named Thuban. The promise of large-scale dragon combat fused with Platinum’s signature stylish action design made it an instant fan favorite before it ever launched.
Then, in January 2017, disaster struck. Microsoft and PlatinumGames confirmed that development had ceased, sending shockwaves through the industry. Scalebound instantly joined the ranks of gaming’s most notorious cancelled projects, and in the years since, fans have repeatedly called for its return.
Kamiya’s Unfinished Business
A Director Who Won’t Walk Away
For Kamiya, Scalebound clearly represents unfinished business. Speaking about the project’s potential revival, the director emphasized that his comments are not jokes or idle nostalgia — he is fully committed to the idea if the opportunity arises. Given his track record of outspoken honesty, many believe this is more than just talk.
Kamiya departed PlatinumGames in 2023 after more than 15 years at the studio he co-founded. He then established a new studio, Clovers, which is currently developing a long-awaited Okami sequel. Despite his new responsibilities, Scalebound clearly still occupies space in his creative mind.
Would Xbox Be on Board?
The biggest question mark is whether Microsoft would be willing to revisit the project. Scalebound was an Xbox-owned property, meaning any revival would require the green light from the platform holder. The gaming landscape has shifted dramatically since 2017 — Xbox has since embraced multiplatform releases and shown a willingness to revisit dormant franchises, such as the revival of classic Rare titles and continued investment in Japanese partnerships like the one that produced Hi-Fi Rush-era relationships with studios in the region.
Phil Spencer has previously described Scalebound’s cancellation as a difficult decision, and the door may not be permanently closed. Still, reviving a decade-old project with a new studio would be a significant undertaking, both financially and creatively.
Why Fans Still Care
Part of Scalebound’s enduring appeal lies in what could have been. PlatinumGames has proven time and again — with Bayonetta, Nier: Automata, and Astral Chain — that the studio understands spectacle-driven action. The idea of that expertise combined with rideable dragons and co-op monster hunting remains an incredibly attractive pitch in a market currently hungry for fantasy action RPGs.
The success of dragon-centric titles and monster-hunting franchises in recent years only strengthens the argument that Scalebound’s core concept was ahead of its time. A modern revival, possibly reworked for current hardware, could find the audience it was always meant for.
Where to Gear Up While You Wait
While we wait to see if Drew and Thuban ever take flight, there’s no better time to catch up on Kamiya’s celebrated catalogue. From Bayonetta to Okami and Devil May Cry, you can grab game codes and digital gift cards at TURGAME.com at competitive prices — perfect for filling your library while keeping the dream of Scalebound alive.
Whether or not this revival ever materializes, one thing is certain: Hideki Kamiya’s determination proves that in gaming, beloved projects are never truly dead — sometimes they’re just sleeping dragons.
Source: Eurogamer