Exclusive video games are the currency that drives console sales. I didn’t borrow that phrase from any industry insiders, poetic as it may be. It’s the truth. I have an Xbox One because of Halo. I’m afraid I have some very bad news for anyone that thought about picking up an Xbox One for PlatinumGames’ Scalebound. Microsoft Studios says that you’ll never get to play it.
The company confirmed reports that Scalebound had been cancelled earlier this week. When Microsoft revealed the game back at E3 2014, it promised users an action-RPG experience centered around a human, named Drew, and a dragon that he could interface with. Famed video game developer PlatinumGames was to develop the title exclusively for Xbox One and PCs running Windows 10. Hideki Kamiya was attached to the project.
Scalebound was one of the games I was very excited to get my hands on in 2016. Early in the year though, Microsoft confirmed that it wouldn’t be launching on schedule. It set the game for a 2017 release. Now we know that it’s not coming at all.
In a statement sent to Kotaku, Microsoft confirmed it was abandoning the project entirely.
“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.”
Scalebound wasn’t just an exclusive game. It was also an Xbox Anywhere title, meaning it would have bolstered the Xbox experience on Windows PCs. I’m personally disappointed by the news because I like any opportunity to visit new worlds and experience new ideas. On the other hand, business is business. Platinum seems to have not been up to the task of delivering what it promised.
At least for now, that does leave the exclusive Xbox line-up a bit light this year. Halo Wars 2 debuts in just a month. That leaves Microsoft with three other exclusive games, two of which seem sort of niche. Here’s to hoping Crackdown 3 delivers.
