Announced at E3 2014, Scalebound was to be PlatinumGames’ first action RPG, and it would have been available exclusively on Xbox. Unfortunately, some behind-the-scenes issues prompted the cancellation of the game in 2017. In the years since, multiple members of PlatinumGames’ staff have expressed a desire to revisit the project. Keeping this in mind while also considering Xbox’s efforts to expand its presence in Japan, and it seems like a revival of Scalebound, though unlikely, would mutually benefit both PlatinumGames and the Xbox Series X’s library.
RELATED: The Past, Present, and Future of Scalebound
Scalebound, Unbound
What footage exists of Scalebound is impressive. Gameplay demos showcased an open world and a peek at some of the gargantuan beasts the main character, Drew, would have encountered throughout. One demo even gave a look at a four-player cooperative multiplayer mode where players took on a titanic monster whose size was comparable to that of some of the larger Colossi from Shadow of the Colossus.
Microsoft’s newest console could surely provide the amount of power necessary for a title as big as Scalebound. The Xbox Series X’s solid-state drive (SSD) has proven to be a useful tool for developers, in part because it allows them to maximize the visual fidelity of their games. It also benefits players greatly by reducing load times, allowing them to spend less time waiting and more time playing.
Since Scalebound started development as an Xbox One game, a move to the Series X would likely expand the already massive scale of the project. It’s easy to imagine how the newest Xbox’s suped-up internals could benefit Scalebound; the world would look more vibrant than it did before, the monsters more detailed, and the frame-rate as smooth as butter.
Xbox loves to talk about what the Series X brings to the table, power-wise, but aside from next-gen upgrades for games that are also available on Xbox One, there hasn’t yet been a particular game that really pushes the hardware to its limit. All things considered, Scalebound seems like it would have been one ambitious title, and if brought back, could also be the perfect candidate to showcase what the Xbox Series X is really capable of.
Scalebound For Game Pass
A title of Scalebound’s scale would undoubtedly be an expensive undertaking for Xbox as a publisher. Fortunately, turning a profit solely on game sales isn’t the highest priority for Xbox. Rather, the company is more focused on cultivating the Xbox ecosystem through regular additions to Xbox Game Pass.
Game Pass is certainly a force to be reckoned with. With more than 100 games available to play for a relatively small monthly fee, it’s inarguably the best deal in gaming. However, the service can also be beneficial for developers, as Game Pass’ value as a promotional tool cannot be overstated.
The recent hit Outriders debuted on Game Pass the same day it launched, which undoubtedly contributed to its success. Similar to Outriders, Scalebound could also stand to benefit greatly from a Game Pass release. On top of simply promoting the game to a large audience, putting it on the subscription service would probably work wonders for Scalebound’s cooperative mode. At no additional cost, it’s almost guaranteed that there would always be someone, whether they’re a PlatinumGames fan or someone curious about the game, looking for a party to fight alongside.
Scalebound for the Xbox Series X makes so much sense for all parties involved. Xbox wants to make it big in Japan, and PlatinumGames really wants to finish it. In addition, it’d be a great exclusive that would only further add value to Game Pass. However, Xbox head Phil Spencer has made it clear that Xbox has moved past Scalebound, likely crushing any hopes of a revival. Even so, Xbox still retains the rights to the game. The ball is still in the publisher’s court, and should Xbox ever decide to pick it back up, Scalebound on Xbox Series X seems like a slam dunk.
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