Update 4: Liam Robertson has created a video sharing some of what he learned about Scalebound and the challenges it was facing. Apparently, creative differences and tensions led to several team members including Hideki Kamiya taking a month-long leave of absence. It's not very long but it gives a bit more of a view of the issues that led to the cancellation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3q85SF8sj0

Update 3: Microsoft has begun taking down several Scalebound videos showcasing gameplay from their official Youtube channels. Our original video was one of those removed from Youtube, so we have replaced the video below with footage sourced from IGN at this time.

Update 2: A brief statement by Microsoft was delivered to the website Windows Central, that confirms the cancellation of the title. The statement, in it's entirety, is as follows:

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. For more information on our 2017 plans, please visit: https://news.xbox.com/2017/01/05/xbox-closes-milestone-year-in-2016/.

It should be noted that the first words about the cancellation did not come from Kotaku, but from reporter Liam Robertson on his personal twitter account.

https://twitter.com/Doctor_Cupcakes/status/818528696978046977

Information regarding the game is still on-going. Expect more updates as the story develops.

Original Story

The Platinum Games title Scalebound may be in jeopardy.

According to some as of yet unconfirmed rumors, the Microsoft exclusive title has possibly been canceled, according to several anonymous sources by the website Kotaku.

Kotaku has not revealed an official source at this time but they are expecting the official announcement shortly by Microsoft. A Microsoft spokesperson, in a brief statement to Kotaku on their story said, “We’ll have more to share on Scalebound soon.”

Another group of sources by Eurogamer stated that Microsoft and Platinum Games have both parted ways as far back as Autumn of last year, which saw a major downturn on the game's development due to several senior members of the development team taking a month away "from the pressure of the project's heavy workload."

According to Eurogamer, continuing issues with the game's engine and overdue deadlines has caused Microsoft and Platinum Games to cease development on the title.

Scalebound is being spearheaded by director Hideki Kamiya, one of the co-founders of Platinum Games back in 2006. Kamiya has been responsible not only for the Bayonetta series at Platinum, but also was the director of Viewtiful Joe, Okami and Resident Evil 2 during his tenure at Capcom, creating several games that have reached critical acclaim.

Scalebound was first revealed back at E3 2014 as an Xbox One and Windows 10 exclusive, although the idea for Scalebound dates back as far as 2006 for Platinum Games. The title is an action role-playing game starring the human Drew and his dragon companion Thuban. Since then the project has been under wraps, with the most recent showing of the game being several gameplay trailers and an example of co-op multiplayer, which is shown below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skIeuo_R-8Y

If the game is canceled, this leaves Platinum Games without a major announced title to work on. Currently, their only confirmed release for 2017 is Nier: Automata, which will launch at the end of February this year. Platinum Games is also working on two smaller titles, one a co-developed project with Cygames called Granblue Fantasy Project Re: Link, the other a mobile game called Lost Order. Both titles currently have no set release date.

We have reached out to both Platinum Games and Microsoft regarding Scalebound and will update the story as we get more information.

What are your thoughts on this story? Please leave your comments below.