Scalebound, the next major release from Platinum Games, will feature a massive world and dragon companions. In an interview with our partners at The Inner Circle Podcast, Ken Lobb stated that Platinum approached Microsoft two years ago and pitched the game to them. They wanted to partner with a major Western studio in order to expand their audience. Lobb added, “Scalebound combines the best of what Platinum does and what we do”.
He also confirmed that dragons would play a major part in the game and would not be adversaries. Lobb stated that “the dragons in Scalebound are companions and they are awesome”. When asked about the scope of the game, Lobb said that it was a major “AAA title” that would have its own space. The game “might or might not release in 2015” because Microsoft already has a packed schedule this holiday season. Lobb also played down comparisons to Monster Hunter by describing it as “grindy”, before emphasising Platinum’s strengths in action titles.
Lobb is a creative director at Microsoft Studios and known for creating the Killer Instinct series. Platinum Games have developed some of the best action titles ever including Bayonetta, Bayonetta 2, Vanquish, and Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. Hideki Kamiya is also working on Scalebound. Kamiya previously developed games like Devil May Cry and Resident Evil. His stories and sense of direction are superb and the Microsoft exclusive will only benefit from having him in charge.
Lobb told The Inner Circle Podcast that Scalebound gameplay should be out this year. This is definitely one to keep an eye out for because it is a very unique collaboration. Stay tuned to XboxMAD and The Inner Circle Podcast for more information on this game as soon as it is available.
Asher M is a games journalist, former News Writer (Gaming) at Windows Central. They contributed 18 articles to ICXM between 2014–2015, focused on game reviews, and Xbox news: one of several bylines used by Asher Madan during his time at ICXM.