Xbox One Owners React To Cancellation of ‘Scalebound’–Loss of Another Xbox Exclusive

Microsoft has announced that Scalebound, their anticipated exclusive from Platinum Games, has been cancelled.

“After careful deliberation, Microsoft Studios has come to the decision to end production for Scalebound,” a spokesperson said. “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.”

Phil Spencer then stated on Twitter that Scalebound’s cancellation will actually be a good thing for Xbox One owners.

Gamers understand that video game executives get paid to put a positive spin on every decision they make, whether good or bad. But it’s going to be difficult to convince those who were looking forward to Scalebound that its cancellation is a good thing.

Getting an exclusive game cancelled from a triple-A developer like Platinum Games is not going to be seen as a boon by Xbox One owners – even if it might actually be the smart long-term call.

In spite of Microsoft’s rosy outlook about the cancellation of one of their most anticipated Xbox One titles, fans are not pleased.

The general consensus about Scalebound is that it was something different from what is usually found on Xbox consoles. Scalebound was a thoroughly Japanese game, made by a respected Japanese developer, that was unlike anything we’ve seen on Xbox One thus far.

Microsoft has traditionally shied away from JRPGs entirely. For those Xbox One owners who aren’t enamored with Halo, Forza, or Gears of War, Scalebound was a game they could hang their hat on and look forward to. No more, unfortunately.

With Sony’s huge PlayStation 4 lead and Nintendo’s Switch coming out this Spring, Microsoft will be in a huge battle for gaming dollars going into the holidays of 2017.

However, we don’t know what the actual problems with Scalebound were that led to its cancellation. We haven’t seen or heard much about it since last E3. Whatever the issues were, Microsoft decided to cut their losses and put their resources and marketing into the titles they have more confidence in at this point in their development.

It’s always disappointing when a big game gets delayed or cancelled. Xbox One owners are going to have to decide with their wallets how this cancellation affects their gaming purchases for 2017.