Plus the official statement from PlatinumGames.
As you may know, Scalebound, the anticipated dragon action Xbox-exclusive from PlatinumGames, has been canceled by Microsoft Studios, a spokesperson told Polygon.
Eurogamer actually reported the game ceased production before the end of 2016.
“With continuing issues surrounding the game’s engine and overdue deadlines, the decision was made that the project could no longer continue,” said Eurogamer.
After hearing the official word from Microsoft, Kenichi Sato, CEO of developer PlatinumGames, published his own statement regarding the cancellation.
“We’re sorry to say that on January 9, 2017, Microsoft Studios announced the cancellation of Scalebound,” the blog post begins. “We are very disappointed things ended up this way, especially since we know many of our fans were looking forward to this game as much as we were.
Going forward, we will strive to continue delivering high-quality games to you, starting with NieR:Automata in March, and including products like GRANBLUE FANTASY Project Re:Link and LOST ORDER in the future.
We will keep working hard to meet your expectations and we look forward to your continued support!”
Around the time the cancellation was announced, rumors spread of director Hideki Kamiya taking some time off. However, Kamiya denied these rumors in a series of tweets.
“As you may have already heard, Scalebound has unfortunately been canceled,” Kamiya said. “I’m very sorry to everyone who was looking forward to this game. 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. I’ll work extra hard to never have to let you down like this again, so I hope you will keep watching over us in the future too… And…I took time off for my mental health? …Me!? No way.”
The next game from Platinum, NieR:Automata, launches for PS4 on March 7th and on PC later in 2017.