Microsoft and Platinum Games had been working for close to four years now on a brand new hack and slash adventure known as Scalebound, but the new year has brought its first bit of bad news. Microsoft has now confirmed that Scalebound is no more, and that Platinum Games has ceased all development on the project as of the end of 2016.
Following reports via both Kotaku and Eurogamer, Microsoft confirmed the cancellation with the following statement:
After careful deliberation, Microsoft Studios has come to the decision to end production for “Scalebound.” We’re working hard to deliver an amazing lineup of games to our fans this year, including “Halo Wars 2,” “Crackdown 3,” “State of Decay 2,” “Sea of Thieves” and other great experiences.
Although Kotaku broke the news earlier last night, Eurogamer suggested a rift between Platinum and Microsoft had formed late last year. Their sources suggest that the relationship between the two was strained following the Gamescom 2016 showing of Scalebound. Soon after that many senior members on the project were forced to take a month-long break from the game’s strenuous development, and on return were faced with a game that was still in very rough shape, and now behind schedule.
It was soon after that the decision was made to shelve the project, which may not come as a surprise to most who saw the game in action in Microsoft’s more recent press conferences. Despite being helmed by Platinum and Bayonetta director Hideki Kamiya, the game really never made a statement with its gameplay. And even if there might have been significant improvement behind closed doors, we’ll now never know if it was enough to rectify some of the mistakes Platinum Games has been making in recent months.
Platinum Games still have NieR: Automata releasing this March, but for Microsoft their exclusives for 2017 just took a significant knock.Responding on Twitter, Microsoft’s game bos Phil Spencer said canning Scalebound was a difficult decision, but that somehow, it’s cancellation was better for gamers.
@TiC_Podcast Difficult decision, we believe result is better 4 Xbox gamers, still disappointing. Im confident in 17 lineup thats our focus
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) January 9, 2017
Last Updated: January 10, 2017
Gavin Mannion
January 10, 2017 at 07:24
Can’t say I know many people who were excited about this game, sad that 4 years of development has just been flushed down the toilet though
Lu
January 10, 2017 at 07:26
I was damned excited about it. But I suppose Microsoft just saved me money so there’s that 😐
As a developer I’d be really upset about that amount of work being scrapped
Admiral Chief
January 10, 2017 at 07:41
Indeed, sad seeing all that work undone
Grimsupanoob
January 10, 2017 at 07:25
WTF… Was looking forward to this. Now what do I have this year to buy? Destiny 2?
Lu
January 10, 2017 at 07:26
A PC XD
Grimsupanoob
January 10, 2017 at 07:27
Got a Nice Team Red Gaming PC as well… same question though, do I have to finally work through my steam Backlog?
Lu
January 10, 2017 at 07:31
Haha I’m just being a douche. Just buy a good JRPG (if you like them). That’ll keep you busy for years.
Grimsupanoob
January 10, 2017 at 07:32
Been holding off on getting FF XV.. still not convinced I should get it… looks too different from previous games…and I loved the previous ones
Lu
January 10, 2017 at 07:42
If FF XV gets a steam release I’ll buy it immediately. But I’m playing Tales of Zestiria at the moment and it’s great fun.
Magoo
January 10, 2017 at 07:36
Close one!
Allykhat
January 10, 2017 at 08:11
I was keen for this now that I own an Xbone….
DragonSpirit009
January 10, 2017 at 08:12
NOOOOOO! How could they do this to me! *cries in the corner*
Mr_Pops
January 10, 2017 at 08:48
Such a shame. This was probably my most anticipated Microsoft exclusive for the year. Had an interesting FF12 meets DMC feel to it.
Ross Woofels Mason
January 10, 2017 at 08:52
Eh not the biggest loss to gamers tbh.
Most people were fairly underwhelmed with the original trailer and I remember the main character getting bashed from all sides lol.
Francois Knoetze
January 10, 2017 at 09:02
noooooooo!!!!
K1FF J1MB0B (sizzle edition)
January 10, 2017 at 10:23
Lets be honest here, this game showed horribly each time, and the main character was douchey as fuck. Still kinda sucks, but the problem now is that Microsoft’s portfolio of games over the next 2-3 years is starting to look underwhelming. If all we get at E3 from them is Halo 6 and more Crackdown 3, that will be hugely disappointing.
chimera_85
January 10, 2017 at 10:29
But why though?
40 Insane Frogs
January 10, 2017 at 11:54
Microsoft, I dub thee… the EXCLUSIVE SLAYER!!
Not to be confused with these fine gentlemen –
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/yjb0j9l1sz4/maxresdefault.jpg
40 Insane Frogs
January 10, 2017 at 11:55
Weird, it seems I was one of the few who were actually looking forward to Scalebound… Ah well, at least NieR: Automata is safe, and I can get that on the PS4.
PS: Phil Spencer, what are you doing buddy? You were supposed to save the Xbone. This last year and a half, you’ve been smelling a lot like Don “The Jacket” Mattrick.
Jonah Cash
January 10, 2017 at 19:13
Woa!! That is big news. I thought it looked decent enough to at least make it to a release. Wouldn’t have been amazing but the story intrigued me quite a bit.