Some dreams refuse to die, even when they’re officially cancelled. Just ask Hideki Kamiya, the legendary game director who can’t seem to shake the ghost of Scalebound, his ambitious dragon-riding action RPG that got the axe back in 2017.
You’d think after eight years, the mastermind behind Devil May Cry and Bayonetta would have moved on. But just like a stubborn dragon that won’t take no for an answer, Scalebound keeps clawing its way back into the spotlight. And this time, it’s got fans reaching for their wallets like it’s already on the pre-order page.
But hold your horses (or should we say, dragons?)—before we get to start pre-ordering our Scalebound collector’s editions, there are a few hurdles standing between Kamiya and his scaly dream project.
Kamiya’s passion for Scalebound refuses to be extinguished
It seems Hideki Kamiya‘s love for Scalebound burns as bright as ever. A recent video from Clovers Inc., Kamiya’s new studio, caught the internet’s attention:
Today’s #CLOVERS 🍀
Noticed some excitement around Kamiya’s desk…
He was reminiscing about the development of #Scalebound while watching YouTube videos.
It never made it to release, but even now, he still feels proud of it.Kamiya: “I’d love to make it again someday.😊” pic.twitter.com/HKZVsVhRNw
— CLOVERS Inc. (@CLOVERS_en) March 3, 2025
Watching Kamiya geek out over old Scalebound footage is like seeing a kid rediscover their favorite toy. It’s clear this game wasn’t just another project—it was something special to the creator who gave us some of gaming’s most stylish action titles.
The internet, predictably, responded with enthusiasm:
OMG scalebound I remember 😭
Why did you have to cancel it Microsoft 😡 pic.twitter.com/5RIYRxtJgc— 𝐊𝐚𝐳𝐮𝐦𝐚 𝐊𝐢𝐫𝐲𝐮桐生一馬🐉☃️💭🎼🗿🍵👧 (@DragonOfDojima_) March 3, 2025
But Kamiya wasn’t content to leave it at fond memories. He took things a step further with his retweet, directly appealing to Xbox boss Phil Spencer himself:
Let’s do it, Phil ! 😀 https://t.co/BLdBs3hxGt
— 神谷英樹🍀 Hideki Kamiya🍀 (@HidekiKamiya_X) March 3, 2025
It’s not the first time Kamiya has expressed interest in reviving Scalebound, but this public call-to-action has reignited hope among fans:
Please @XboxP3 bankroll this one!
— Cereza Corazon (@Cerezac0razon) March 3, 2025
The enthusiasm is infectious, but let’s remember what Scalebound actually was. This wasn’t just any game—it was an ambitious title that promised to let players form a bond with an AI-controlled dragon named Thuban. Think How to Train Your Dragon, but with more swords and less Viking helmets.
Combat would have blended PlatinumGames’ signature stylish action with RPG elements, letting players customize both Drew (the human protagonist) and his scaly companion. The game even planned to include four-player co-op. But here’s where things get tricky.
The road to revival is paved with obstacles
While Kamiya’s enthusiasm is undeniable, bringing Scalebound back is easier said than done. For starters, Microsoft still owns the IP rights to the game. Without their approval—and potentially their financial backing—a revival is impossible.
Power our dreams Phil @XboxP3
— Pato Σ RE Loaded HD (@pato_sigma_HD) March 3, 2025
Then there’s Kamiya’s current passion project: Okami 2. After years of fan prayers to every deity imaginable, the sequel to one of gaming’s most beloved cult classics is finally happening. Announced at The Game Awards 2024, the project is still in its early stages—as Kamiya himself noted in an update, it’s just “a small bud that is blossoming.”
And with Amaterasu’s paintbrush set to create magic once again under his direction at Clovers Inc., it raises a practical question: does Kamiya have room on his plate for two massive projects? Game development isn’t exactly a walk in the park, and both Scalebound and Okami 2 would demand serious time and resources.
So, what’s a game director to do? For now, it seems Kamiya is content to keep the dream alive through social media and fond reminiscing. But in the world of video games, never say never. Stranger revivals have happened.
What do you think? Should Microsoft give Scalebound another chance? Or is it time to let sleeping dragons lie? Let us know in the comments!
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
