While the notion of Microsoft cancelling an Xbox game in 2026 could be just another day that ends in Y, similar news a decade ago was seen by many as industry-breaking. Such was the case with Scalebound – an ambitious action-RPG developed by PlatinumGames and headed by Hideki Kamiya of DMC and Bayonetta fame. Almost a decade on from its cancellation by publisher Microsoft, Kamiya still hopes to one day bring Scalebound to light.

In the 9 years since Microsoft officially cancelled Scalebound, Hideki Kamiya has on many occasions expressed interest in bringing the IP back, claiming in 2020, 2022 and 2025 that he would be willing to return to what was clearly a passion project. Up till now, Microsoft themselves appear to have no interest in such a revival.

Taking part in an interview with the publication VGC, Kamiya (who now serves as a core member of new studio Clovers) expressed once again desires to try and bring back the ill-fated Scalebound.

In response to the question “Have you asked [new Xbox CEO] Asha Sharma yet if they're up for reviving Scalebound?” Kamiya claimed: “Well, no, but now's my opportunity to once again say that if they want to do it, let's make it happen! Koyama [Clovers founder and CEO] is on board too. If you could include some footage [of Scalebound] in your article for Asha, that would be useful.”

Speaking on its cancellation from almost a decade ago, Kamiya added “Of course, 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 all possible, and I'm being one hundred percent serious when I say that.”

Kamiya concluded with: “I mean, obviously we might not be in a position to do that right this second, but 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.”

In many ways, it feels as though Scalebound is the one project that got away, with Kamiya clearly continuing to hold onto hope that the project could one day come to fruition. Given that Microsoft themselves own the defunct IP however, it is seemingly out of Kamiya’s hands.

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KitGuru says: What did you think of Scalebound back in the day? Would you like to see it revived? Let us know down below.

After leaving PlatinumGames back in 2023, Hideki Kamiya would take a small break from game development – coming back in late 2024 to announce his brand new studio ‘Clovers’ alongside a teaser for Okami 2. Despite the first game in the series launching all the way back in 2006, Kamiya has now revealed that composers behind the original game have joined the studio.

As reported by the publication VGC, Hideki Kamiya’s newly-established studio Clovers have been amassing a massive pool of talent as they work on the upcoming Okami sequel.

The most notable new hire is for Hiroshi Yamaguchi – the lead composer for the excellent Bayonetta who also worked on the original Okami. Alongside Yamaguchi, other audio alumni from PlatinumGames have now joined, including:

• Hitomi Kurokawa (music writer for Bayonetta and The Wonderful 101)
• Aoba Nakanishi (lead composer for Bayonetta Origins)
• Misaki Shindo (lead sound designer for NieR: Automata and The Wonderful 101)
• Hiroki Niwa (lead sound designer for Ninja Gaiden 4 and Bayonetta 3)

While PlatinumGames’ reputation has ebbed and flowed over the years, one aspect which the team does not seem to miss is with its music.

Given this, it is safe to assume that Okami 2 and whatever else Clovers has in store will feature excellent music and sound design.

KitGuru says: What do you think of these latest hires? How important is music / sound design to you in games? Which Kamiya-led project has had your favourite soundtrack? Let us know down below.