In a series of Twitter posts, Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft's Xbox division, has apologized for the cancellation of the much-anticipated game Scalebound.
Microsoft: Still Committed To Take Risks
Spencer has not provided any insight as to why the title was unceremoniously halted but if it is of any consolation, he assured fans that Microsoft will continue to take risks.
@XboxPY15 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
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) January 11, 2017
Scalebound has fascinated Xbox One gamers due to the quality of its graphics. Based on teasers and leaked images, it has also tickled the public's imagination with a promise of a dangerous world called Draconis waiting to be navigated. It is populated by humans and dragons, working together to offer a potentially epic gaming experience.
What is particularly regrettable for enthusiasts is the fact that the game counted the world-renowned game director Hideki Kamiya as the leader of its development. It would have been interesting to see how he implemented the concept of customizing dragons.
As an online multiplayer platform, the game supported one to four players within the co-op gameplay framework.
What Went Wrong?
Again, there has been no official word that explains why Scalebound was canceled. Microsoft was only able to offer a token statement that a purportedly intense deliberation took place before the decision to pull the plug on Scalebound was reached.
Previous reports about its release and the series of production delays could offer some clue for the game's eventual demise. The emerging theory is that Microsoft has become too ambitious about its game offerings to the point that it could no longer cope with the sheer number of titles it is endeavoring to release.
According to rumors, there was a point when the entire developer team took a month off due to heavy workload. So in the lineup that includes Halo Wars 2, Sea of Thieves, Crackdown 3, and State of Decay 2, Scalebound became the casualty.
On Xbox One Diversity
In a bid to explain Microsoft's move amid the grumblings of disappointed fans, Spencer pointed out that the upcoming games like Sea of Thieves still show that Microsoft is committed to building new things. He further burnished the game's credential as something that has what it takes to surprise gamers.
It is not yet clear if Scalebound will be sent to the trash bin for good. There are reports that reveal how the game has been concluded even before Microsoft and Platinum Games parted ways. If this is the case, then there could be a chance that it will pop up somewhere online for gamers to download.
