Here (Not) Be Dragons: Microsoft Cancels Xbox One Exclusive ‘Scalebound’

But no, seriously…what a bummer.

As I’ve said many a time in the past, it’s a sad day when ANY video game gets canceled, especially one of the AAA variety. There’s simply not that many big games getting made in the industry, and when one dies, the industry suffers overall. Even companies as notable and large as Platinum Games are not immune from such treatment, as months of hard work and expensive resources go down the tube. And in the case of Scalebound, we know pretty directly just how much time was spent trying to get this project to work.

First announced with a big reveal trailer back at E3 2014, Scalebound was sold as a third person Action RPG from the makers of Bayonetta and Metal Gear Solid: Revengenace. It also had dragons, which definitely fit into the “plus” category. Development on the game commenced over four years ago, and it’s not like the developer has been exactly quiet about it: a gameplay trailer for the game was just presented during Microsoft’s E3 Keynote last year. At the time Scalebound was even given a release window of Fall 2016 though, like many others, it ultimately got postponed to 2017. But that release window will be for naught as well, as Microsoft confirmed today that development on the game has been completely cancelled.

“After careful deliberation, Microsoft Studios has come to the decision to end production for Scalebound,” said a Microsoft spokesman in an official statement. “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.”

Though I wasn’t exactly a Scalebound fanboy (or a ScaleBoy, as I hear they like to be called), the game looked like a lot of fun, and by adding in crucial RPG elements, seemed like a step up in evolution from the typical action-heavy game of Platinum’s past. Even worse, with the game’s fate now sealed, the reputation of Best Dragon Game of the modern age once again reverts back to Lair.

May god have mercy on our souls.