Scalebound

Scalebound was an action role-playing game played in a third-person perspective, in which players assumed control of Drew, as he progressed through the world of Draconis.{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/08/04/gamescom-2015-scalebound-release-window-4-player-co-op-announced|title=Gamescom 2015: Scalebound Release Window, 4 Player Co-Op announced|first=Luke|last=Karmali|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=August 4, 2015|accessdate=August 5, 2015|archive-date=August 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806191227/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/08/04/gamescom-2015-scalebound-release-window-4-player-co-op-announced|url-status=live}} Players are accompanied by a dragon called Thuban, who would assist Drew throughout the game. Drew and Thuban are bonded together, and Thuban's death would cause Drew to die as well and vice versa. Thuban is usually controlled by artificial intelligence, but players can give commands to the dragon when performing attacks. Drew can enter the Dragon Link mode, allowing the player to directly control the dragon from his perspective. In this mode, the perspective would shift to first-person, and Drew is very vulnerable to attacks. There are three types of dragons, each with different characteristics. The three types can be blended together through the game's customization options and the dragon's abilities, appearances and armor can be modified by the player.{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/8/17/12514956/scalebound-will-allow-you-to-control-your-dragon-directly-in-battle|title=Scalebound will allow you to control your dragon directly in battle|first=Megan|last=Farokhmanesh|date=August 17, 2016|accessdate=August 17, 2016|work=Polygon|archive-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160818045507/http://www.polygon.com/2016/8/17/12514956/scalebound-will-allow-you-to-control-your-dragon-directly-in-battle|url-status=live}} The dragon can be ridden, though not in the beginning of the game, and they can perform a special elemental attack with the berserker mode.{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-08-04-scalebound-reveals-first-gameplay-4-player-co-op|title=Scalebound reveals first gameplay, four-player co-op|first=Jeffrey|last=Matulef|work=Eurogamer|date=August 4, 2015|accessdate=August 5, 2015|archive-date=October 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022124733/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-08-04-scalebound-reveals-first-gameplay-4-player-co-op|url-status=live}} The player can upgrade abilities by using the gems that enemies dropped sometimes.{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/08/12/scalebound-platinum-action-with-deep-rpg-systems|title=Scalebound: Platinum Action with Deep RPG Systems|first=Lucy|last=O'Brien|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=August 12, 2015|accessdate=August 16, 2015|archive-date=August 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816041436/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/08/12/scalebound-platinum-action-with-deep-rpg-systems|url-status=live}}

In addition, players are equipped with melee weapons, such as swords and other ranged weapons.{{cite web|url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/90640/gamescom-2015-scalebound-revealed|title=Gamescom 2015: Scalebound Revealed; Giant Sized Adventure Awaits|first=Steven|last=Wong|work=Shacknews|date=August 4, 2015|accessdate=August 5, 2015|archive-date=October 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016202958/http://www.shacknews.com/article/90640/gamescom-2015-scalebound-revealed|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.idigitaltimes.com/scalebound-gameplay-trailer-shows-huge-dragon-fighting-gamescom-463917|title=Scalebound Gameplay Trailer Shows Off Huge Dragon Fighting At Gamescom|first=Bob|last=Fekete|work=iDigitalTimes|date=August 4, 2015|accessdate=August 5, 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924033230/http://www.idigitaltimes.com/scalebound-gameplay-trailer-shows-huge-dragon-fighting-gamescom-463917|archivedate=September 24, 2015}} These weapons will eventually become degraded and lose their durability during combat. The game does not feature any crafting system, but players can obtain different weapons throughout the game. When encountering large enemies, players can swing to them and climb on them to perform attacks.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/08/04/scalebound-gameplay-and-4-player-co-op-revealed.aspx|title=Kamiya Showcases Scalebound Gameplay, Reveals Four-Player Co-Op|first=Daniel|last=Tack|magazine=Game Informer|date=August 4, 2015|access-date=August 5, 2015|archive-date=August 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806162324/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2015/08/04/scalebound-gameplay-and-4-player-co-op-revealed.aspx|url-status=live}} Drew has a dragon arm,{{cite web |last=Sheridan |first=Connor |date=August 4, 2015 |title=Scalebound is coming to Xbox One in holiday 2016 |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/scalebound-coming-xbox-one-holiday-2016/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924134745/http://www.gamesradar.com/scalebound-coming-xbox-one-holiday-2016/ |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |accessdate=August 5, 2015 |work=GamesRadar}} which can scan enemies for information, unleash pulse energy, and heal his dragon companion. The player can shapeshift into a half-dragon hybrid.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/scalebound/b/xboxone/archive/2015/08/10/game-informer-scalebound-gamescom-preview.aspx|title=Platinum Games' Scalebound Isn't Just Action-Packed, It's A Full-Scale RPG, Too|first=Kimberly|last=Wallace|magazine=Game Informer|date=August 10, 2015|access-date=August 11, 2015|archive-date=August 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150813001403/http://www.gameinformer.com/games/scalebound/b/xboxone/archive/2015/08/10/game-informer-scalebound-gamescom-preview.aspx|url-status=live}} When he shapeshifts, his abilities will be significantly strengthened. Players can gain skill points, which can be used to level-up Drew, by defeating enemies and taking care of Thuban like healing and assisting him in battle. Additional skill points would have given if players can defeat multiple enemies consecutively. The game featured a four-player co-operative multiplayer mode.{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/8/4/9094637/scalebound-release-date-co-op|title=Scalebound gameplay trailer reveals 4-player co-op and 'holiday 2016' release window|first=Christopher|last=Grant|work=Polygon|date=August 4, 2015|accessdate=August 5, 2015|archive-date=August 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806155713/http://www.polygon.com/2015/8/4/9094637/scalebound-release-date-co-op|url-status=live}}

The game was under development by PlatinumGames. The concept for the game was created when Platinum established in 2006 but the studio decided to move to develop Bayonetta instead of making Scalebound. The studio attempted to re-pitch the game again after the completion of Bayonetta, and a prototype was made but it failed to generate any interest, and the studio moved on to develop The Wonderful 101. When the development of The Wonderful 101 was almost finished, the idea for Scalebound was revised, and the game's development officially began in 2013.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-exclusive-scalebound-was-shelved-twice-or/1100-6431046/|title=Xbox One Exclusive Scalebound Was Shelved Twice, Originally Starred a Little Girl|first=Alexa|last=Ray Corriea|work=GameSpot|date=September 30, 2015|accessdate=November 2, 2015|archive-date=November 3, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103233750/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-exclusive-scalebound-was-shelved-twice-or/1100-6431046/|url-status=live}}

Director Hideki Kamiya considered the game a new experience for the studio, as it was something that they had never worked on before. The studio hoped that they could create a game whose gameplay would have been unlike any other game previously developed by Platinum. Kamiya described it as a big challenge for the studio. He also considered the collaboration between Platinum and Microsoft a leap forward for the studio.{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/16/platinum-games-has-never-made-a-game-like-scalebound|title=Platinum Games Has Never Made A Game Like Scalebound|first=Mitch|last=Dyer|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=September 16, 2014|accessdate=August 5, 2015|archive-date=August 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825121939/http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/16/platinum-games-has-never-made-a-game-like-scalebound|url-status=live}} According to him, Bayonetta-styled action and reflexes is not the core focus of the game, but he promised that the game's combat "will remain at the quality that's always defined [Platinum's] action games". The team put more emphasis on graphics and visual quality to create a game that is "photo-realistic".{{cite web|url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2014/09/16/hideki-kamiya-says-platinum-games-have-never-made-anything-like-scalebound/104995/|title=Hideki Kamiya says Platinum Games Have Never Made Anything Like Scalebound|first=Bradley|last=Storm|work=Hardcore Gamer|date=September 16, 2014|accessdate=August 5, 2015|archive-date=September 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915170301/http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2014/09/16/hideki-kamiya-says-platinum-games-have-never-made-anything-like-scalebound/104995/|url-status=live}} The game was designed to be more accessible for new players and the team hoped that the game's fantasy setting can introduce it to a wider audience.{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/9/18/6371393/scalebound-xbox-one-hideki-kamiya|title=Why Scalebound for Xbox One may be unlike anything Platinum Games has done before|first=Michael|last=McWhertor|work=Polygon|date=September 18, 2014|accessdate=August 5, 2015|archive-date=August 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825061046/https://www.polygon.com/2014/9/18/6371393/scalebound-xbox-one-hideki-kamiya|url-status=live}} Platinum also consulted Microsoft's user research labs to ensure that the game would suit the taste of a broad audience.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/platinum-s-xbox-one-exclusive-scalebound-will-shoc/1100-6424598/|title=Platinum's Xbox One Exclusive Scalebound Will Shock You, Says Microsoft Dev|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|work=GameSpot|date=January 12, 2015|accessdate=August 5, 2015|archive-date=July 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150727133748/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/platinum-s-xbox-one-exclusive-scalebound-will-shoc/1100-6424598/|url-status=live}}

Scalebound would be the first action role-playing game developed by Platinum. Kamiya described the game as a dream come true for him, as he had always wanted to create a game where dragons are the players' companion as opposed to being enemies. In order to add a twist to the game's world and prevent it from being too typical, the team introduced Drew, a young man who comes from the modern world, to contrast with the fantasy setting of the game. The bonding between the game's protagonist and the dragon was not originally planned. Kamiya's original vision was to have monsters fighting against each other. However, they decided to add that later on because they wanted to increase player participation in the game. In order to tackle the problem of having two lead characters in a game, they focused the story on Drew and the gameplay on Thuban. As a result, Thuban can be customized extensively, while Drew cannot. Instead of the dragon, Platinum originally hoped to feature dinosaurs in the game, although the idea was later scrapped.{{cite web |author=Brian |date=1 October 2015 |title=PlatinumGames' Scalebound started out as a Wii game |url=https://nintendoeverything.com/platinumgames-scalebound-started-out-as-a-wii-game/ |website=Nintendo Everything}}{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/scalebound-originally-had-dinosaurs-not-dragons/1100-6429793/|title=Scalebound Originally Had Dinosaurs, Not Dragons|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|work=GameSpot|date=August 16, 2015|accessdate=August 18, 2015|archive-date=August 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150819063122/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/scalebound-originally-had-dinosaurs-not-dragons/1100-6429793/|url-status=live}} It was once intended to be a dinosaur game, in which players can issue commands to other dinosaurs, for the Wii console.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/scalebound-girl-xbox-one-wii-2006/|title=Scalebound's changed since it was a Wii game in 2006 - fewer dinosaurs, for example|first=Sam|last=Prell|work=GamesRadar|date=October 1, 2015|accessdate=November 2, 2015|archive-date=October 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151014220632/http://www.gamesradar.com/scalebound-girl-xbox-one-wii-2006/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Bradley |first=Lee |date=October 1, 2015 |title=Scalebound Was Originally a Wii Game About a Little Girl and Her Dinosaurs |url=https://www.xboxachievements.com/news/news-22286-Scalebound-Was-Originally-a-Wii-Game-About-a-Little-Girl-and-Her-Dinosaurs.html |website=XboxAchievements}}

Kamiya cited the 1987 Dragon Slayer action role-playing game Sorcerian as inspiration, including its fantasy theme, "gigantic monsters," different scenarios, "expansive possibilities", "tons of adventures" and enemies such as a hydra boss and "lots of amazing dragons".{{cite web |last=Leone |first=Matt |date=January 2015 |title=Hideki Kamiya: Making Scalebound with a Western publisher |url=http://www.polygon.com/a/life-in-japan/Hideki-Kamiya-Scalebound |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151025064209/http://www.polygon.com/a/life-in-japan/Hideki-Kamiya-Scalebound |archive-date=October 25, 2015 |accessdate=November 2, 2015 |work=Polygon}}{{cite web|url=http://ign.com/articles/2015/08/27/ask-platinumgames-anything-about-scalebound|title=Ask PlatinumGames Anything About Scalebound|last=Mccaffrey|first=Ryan|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=August 26, 2015|access-date=June 10, 2016|archive-date=June 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628052827/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/08/27/ask-platinumgames-anything-about-scalebound|url-status=live}} He also cited the 1987 PC-8801 MA release of the action role-playing game Hydlide 3,{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-08-07-scalebound-is-a-different-kind-of-platinum-game|title=Scalebound is a different kind of Platinum Game|first=Martin|last=Robinson|work=Eurogamer|date=August 7, 2015|accessdate=November 2, 2015|archive-date=October 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022124734/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-08-07-scalebound-is-a-different-kind-of-platinum-game|url-status=live}} noting the influence of its "hardcore game design", as well as the dragons of the role-playing video game Dragon Quest.

The game's world, Draconis, features a giant mushroom that grows extensively. Pulse energy emanates from it that serves as the life foundation of every existing creature in the game. According to Yong-hee Cho, the game's art director, the Pulse took inspiration from the Force of Star Wars fame. Draconis is described to be non-linear which encourages exploration. When designing the game's world, the team hoped to strike a balance between realism and imagination. As a result, 80% of the game's world would be based on earth's landscape, while the remaining 20% would be environments shaped by the Pulse energy. According to Cho, when he first pitched his original enemy designs to Kamiya, they were rejected because they were considered to be too exaggerated. Kamiya later said that he wanted the enemies to be more realistic. In addition, the difficulty of enemies is not scaled according to Drew's strength and level, as Platinum hoped that without scaled difficulty, players can experience a sense of victory when they return to earlier areas to defeat easier enemies. Despite that, enemies behaviors change during the second encounter.

The initial deal between PlatinumGames and Microsoft was facilitated by agent Ben Judd.{{Cite web |last=Leone |first=Matt |date=11 May 2015 |title=Koji Igarashi: A day in the life |url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2015/5/11/8576141/koji-igarashi-day-in-the-life |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512160459/http://www.polygon.com/features/2015/5/11/8576141/koji-igarashi-day-in-the-life |archive-date=2015-05-12 |access-date=2018-07-17 |website=Polygon |language=en}} The game was officially announced at Microsoft Studios' press conference at E3 2014 with a cinematic trailer.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-platinum-games-announces-xbox-one-exclusive-scalebound/1100-6420228/|title=E3 2014: Platinum Games Announces Xbox One Exclusive Scalebound|first=Tom|last=Mc Shea|work=GameSpot|date=June 9, 2014|accessdate=August 5, 2015|archive-date=May 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510112801/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2014-platinum-games-announces-xbox-one-exclusive-scalebound/1100-6420228/|url-status=live}} The game missed E3 2015, but the game's gameplay was shown at Gamescom 2015, alongside Crackdown 3 and Quantum Break. The game's four-player co-operative multiplayer mode was also announced.{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-gamescom-briefing-includes-exclusives-missing/1100-6428527/|title=Xbox Gamescom Briefing Includes Exclusives Missing From E3, Dates Announced|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|work=GameSpot|date=June 30, 2015|accessdate=August 5, 2015|archive-date=August 29, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829064545/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-gamescom-briefing-includes-exclusives-missing/1100-6428527/|url-status=live}} Scalebound was set to be released worldwide for the Xbox One in late 2016 but was later delayed to 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.vg247.com/2015/08/04/gamescom-2015-scalebound-release-window-announced/|title=Gamescom 2015: Scalebound release window announced|first=Sherif|last=Saed|work=VG247|date=August 4, 2015|accessdate=August 5, 2015|archive-date=August 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806003356/http://www.vg247.com/2015/08/04/gamescom-2015-scalebound-release-window-announced/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-01-04-xbox-one-exclusive-scalebound-delayed-to-2017|title=Xbox One exclusive Scalebound delayed to 2017|first=Wesley|last=Yin-Poole|work=Eurogamer|date=January 4, 2016|accessdate=January 4, 2015|archive-date=January 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107045819/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-01-04-xbox-one-exclusive-scalebound-delayed-to-2017|url-status=live}} The game's cancellation was announced on January 9, 2017.{{cite web | url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2017/01/09/microsoft-confirms-scalebound-is-cancelled | title=Microsoft Confirms Scalebound is Cancelled | work=IGN | first=Andrew | last=Goldfarb | date=January 9, 2017 | accessdate=January 9, 2017 | archive-date=October 22, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022124731/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/01/09/microsoft-confirms-scalebound-is-cancelled | url-status=live }}

Reflecting on the game's cancellation in May 2019, Platinum studio head Atsushi Inaba said it "wasn't easy" to see publisher Microsoft receive criticism for the decision as he felt "both sides failed", and that, ultimately, the game "didn't do all of the things that we needed to do as a developer".{{cite web | url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/microsoft-shouldnt-take-blame-for-scalebound-says-platinum/ | title=Microsoft shouldn't take the blame for Scalebound, says Platinum | work=Video Games Chronicle | first=Andy | last=Robinson | date=May 7, 2019 | access-date=July 22, 2019 | archive-date=August 22, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822102750/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/microsoft-shouldnt-take-blame-for-scalebound-says-platinum/ | url-status=live }} In February 2020, Inaba said that while Scalebound remains an intellectual property fully owned by Microsoft, PlatinumGames would want to return to it if given the opportunity to.{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/platinum-would-love-to-return-to-scalebound-if-opportunity-arises/ | title = Platinum 'would love to return to Scalebound' if opportunity arises | first = Andy | last = Robinson | date = February 4, 2020 | accessdate = February 4, 2020 | work = Video Games Chronicle | url-status = live | archive-date = March 7, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200307190002/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/platinum-would-love-to-return-to-scalebound-if-opportunity-arises/ }}

In a video interview with Cutscenes, Kamiya apologized for the game's cancellation and stated the development team were not experienced enough in creating a title with an emphasis on online features.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

According to Platinum, several elements from Scalebound were reworked to appear in Bayonetta 3.{{cite web |last=De Meo |first=Francesco |date=24 September 2021 |title=Bayonetta 3 to Include Mechanics Inspired by Scalebound, Former Platinum Games Developer Suggests |url=https://wccftech.com/bayonetta-3-mechaincs-scalebound/ |website=WCCFtech}}{{cite web |last=Behan |first=Daire |date=19 July 2022 |title=Bayonetta 3 Seems to be Lifting Some Ideas from Scalebound |url=https://gamerant.com/bayonetta-3-scalebound-gameplay-ideas-reused/ |website=Game Rant}}{{cite news |last=Robinson |first=Martin |date=13 October 2022 |title=Scalebound lives on in Bayonetta 3's best new trick |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/scalebound-lives-on-in-bayonetta-3s-best-new-trick |newspaper=Eurogamer}}

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{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://web.archive.org/web/20170410085734/http://www.scaleboundgame.com/}}

{{Portal bar|Japan|Speculative fiction|Video games}}

{{Hideki Kamiya}}

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Category:Action role-playing video games

Category:Cancelled Windows games

Category:Cancelled Xbox One games

Category:Hack and slash games

Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games

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Category:Unreal Engine 4 games

Category:Video games about dragons

Category:Video games developed in Japan

Category:Video games directed by Hideki Kamiya

Category:Video games about parallel universes

Category:Video games scored by Christopher Lennertz