'Scalebound' cancellation addressed by game director Hideki Kamiya, Xbox boss Phil Spencer
In light of the surprising cancellation of supposed role-playing game (RPG) "Scalebound," folks involved in its development have started turning into their social media to address the decision as well as reassure fans that everything is for the better.
On Jan. 9, via an official statement posted on the game's official website, Microsoft has announced that "after careful deliberation, we have come to the decision to end production for Scalebound. This decision was not made lightly." From then on, those who were working on the title reached out to their fans to provide some additional insights including director Hideki Kamiya. In a series of tweets published a couple of days after the announcement, the video game designer apologized to the fans who were relentlessly anticipating the game.
"As you may have already heard, Scalebound has unfortunately been canceled. I'm very sorry to everyone who was looking forward to this game," he wrote. "Sorry to bring you such bad news at the start of the year. All I can do for you is to promise to keep delivering fun games." He also added some words of encouragement and a promise that he endeavors to not let a thing like this happen in the future.
By the end of it, Kamiya briefly addressed rumors that he will be taking some time off to take care of his mental health brushing it off like the claims were baseless. "And ... I took time off for my mental health? ... Me!? No way," he good-naturedly said.
Meanwhile, Xbox head honcho Phil Spencer also took the time to talk about the matter via his official Twitter account. However, he took fan questions and answered them while explaining their side of the coin as well as revealing that they "won't abandon signing independent studio projects" but internal studio matters should be prioritized too.
"It hurt me as well and to the community I apologize. I want everything we start to turn out great, to take risks, create diversity," he furthered.
"Scalebound" is an action role-playing game from a third-party perspective that was being developed by Platinum Games — the company's supposed first for the genre. It allows players to take control of lead Drew and with his dragon named Thuban, the two of them meander in the world of Draconi. The title was supposed to be released sometime this year for Xbox One and Microsoft Windows.