Scalebound's Rumored Cancelation Isn't a Surprise, and Could Be a Good Thing

GameRevolution: "But if the game really is experiencing tumultuous development, cancelation would be the best thing for both Microsoft and PlatinumGames. Gamers aren't a very forgiving bunch, and associating both companies with an underperforming product of this magnitude would be a worst case scenario. PlatinumGames in particular would have a lot to lose given its reputation for inconsistency despite being capable of making something as well-received as Bayonetta."

[Neonridr]

Look at No Man's Sky. You think many gamers are going to be lining up for Murray's next title he brings to market?

If the game wasn't up to par, then maybe this was for the better. Sure it sucks as it is one less new IP MS is getting. But if the game released and bombed, I could only imagine the atmosphere around places like N4G.

[Nyxus]

The difference is that this game was being made by a proven dev (Kamiya) and studio (PlatinumGames).

[Neonridr]

doesn't mean that the game is automatically a winner though. No studio is impervious to duds.

[darthv72]

is Phantom Dust canceled or just on hold until they find a new developer?

[_-EDMIX-_]

@neo- I understand that it wasn't going to be a guaranteed slam dunk success but there is nothing that is 100% guaranteed in business.

So your solution is to just cancel all brand new games because they "could" fail?

Sooo do you know how many properties failed from Sony before we got something like Uncharted or The Last of Us? Titles like Heavenly sword ,folklore , lair MAG .. there is no such thing as a guaranteed 100% slam dunk.

The reality is even after so many failed titles that never really stopped Sony from continuing to actually fund new intellectual properties because if they stopped they would have never got something like Uncharted or the last of us, if all they would keep doing is getting gunshy. you actually have to spend money , like the old saying goes you have to break a few eggs shells to bake a cake , I'm sorry but as a consumer it doesn't benefit me to tell the company to play it safe and keep releasing the same things regurgitated.

Microsoft is failing this generation because of the same projects that they do...

Sonys absolutely dominating and once again they are outselling Microsoft like they have for every generation.

Yes Sony has a pretty long list of games that failed but they could only have a long list of games that are brand new that succeeded if they're actually making brand new content.

I'd rather have the new intellectual property and have a chance that it might fail then never have it at all because it doesn't sound like that's doing Microsoft any favors this generation.

If anything let the gamers decide I was likely going to purchase scalebound on PC but I know there's lots of people that probably purchased an Xbox one with the anticipation of that title.

[joab777]

I wonder if it suffered from similar problems with TLG, with the relationship b/w man and dragon. TLG was very difficult to get right and it's shows despite being great!

Also, Just curious but hearing that Crackdown has had problems too, I wonder how much cloud gaming plays into it if at all?

[Godmars290]

@darthv72:
As I understand what was Phantom Dust 2 was canceled but the original is being remade and re-released on the XB1.

[DARKKENT]

You know what annoys me?

The bias xbox sites who try to downplay this cancellation

[itsmebryan]

And why does that make a difference? Good developers don't always make good games. I prefer quality over quantity. If this game came out it was as bad as "No man's sky" that would be worst then just taking people's money when you already know a game is bad.

[Mikefizzled]

Phantom is cancelled in current form but the project is ongoing. They're releasing Phantom Dust HD at some point this year to get the attention back to the innovative IP.

[Abash]

This isn't some small scale developer like Hello Games, this is Platinum we are talking about. They have proven they make great action games and Scalebound getting canceled is crushing. Do you think THEY wanted some wonky 4 player online co-op? I bet that was one of many MS's decisions for the game that made Platinum fall behind schedule, as the sources say, and the issues are result of both MS Studios and Platinum not working close enough.

[Neonridr]

betting and guessing is exactly the problem here. Of course you guys all want it to be aimed squarely at MS. Fits in nicely with the agenda on this site. I mean hell I don't even own an Xbox and I still won't drink the koolaid. Just because I support Sony this gen doesn't mean I automatically hate MS like so many on here do.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Completely agreed even if they were worried about the direction of scalebound or that the team needed more help Microsoft owns the intellectual property if anything this should take even more responsibility to make sure the games a success and add one of their development teams to assist them.

You guys know I blast and criticized Microsoft all the time but I'm still a gamer and this is a game that I actually wanted to play on PC this year it might be the only game that I was probably even going to play on PC.

Regardless of the technical issues that they could have had with scalebound Square Enix and Sony have shown that games could have huge technical issues and still come back to be success.

Final Fantasy 15 and The Last Guardian still exist.

Scalebound cancellation is Microsoft saying they don't want to spend the money and they could care less about giving their Gamers a title that they've anticipated.

We all know the Last Guardian was not going to be moving millions of units in guaranteeing the PlayStation 4 success far from it but that never stopped Sony from still pushing that game and even paying the director after the director left, they contracted him to make sure the game was complete with its concept intact.

Microsoft is not pulling all stops to fix this because it isn't a problem to them.

Microsoft has canceled several games of this generation and it's very much starting to show that they have no interest in funding intellectual properties 100%.

They will fund it if they don't own the team and they don't own the intellectual property

they will fund it if they own the intellectual property and not the team but they won't do both

Ie Microsoft with the exception of rare is not going to fund an intellectual property by a team they own and an intellectual property they own from the ground up.

[morganfell]

As Abash stated it is Platinum. To make matters worse Platinum is burning up the road finishing Nier Automata, a title whose demo is amazing. Now word is beginning to leak that the issue with everyting was on Redmond's end. Where there is smoke there is fire.

[gangsta_red]

"You think many gamers are going to be lining up for Murray's next title he brings to market?"

But how many times is MS going to have something lined up, hyped and expected for years and then at the last minute pull the plug?

We saw this for Phantom Dust, Fable and now Scalebound.

I'd rather have a game release then be part of a line up for years and then canceled.

Hate to sound like a fanboy but what's next....Crackdown?

[Neonridr]

that would hurt (Crackdown).

[n4rc]

Without trying to sound like a dick here..

What you want doesn't really matter.. you aren't the one paying to make the project happen..

Of course from where we sit, it's better to release it and if it sucks, it sucks.. but we aren't shelling out millions to make it..

They had already sunk quite a bit into it, you don't bail on that investment without just cause..

[Ceaser9857361]

shinobi mentioned crackdown development aint coming up well... though nothing as bad as SB..

[Aloy-Boyfriend]

But NMS hasn't hurt Sony in anyway and the game is at least average to play for a few hrs.

Stop making excuses.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Lol. Yea....No.

I'm extremely doubtful that scalebound was in the same situation is no man's Sky.

no man's Sky wasn't simply just about hype they pretty much lied about multiple features that's called fraud....

The game looked like it suffered from a few frame rate issues sure but I'm actually doubtful that it was unsalvageable it sounds to me like Microsoft did not want to spend the money to add another team or assist the development team.

Mind you the game bombing as a possibility is not an excuse cuz any game it can fail.

You're basically suggesting they just cancel all games because they could all fail.

Sooooo Your solution is Microsoft should just never make new games if they could fail? Lol

Final Fantasy 15 in The Last Guardian can release after 10 years of development I'm pretty damn positive scalebound can release as well Microsoft did not want to put money into that franchise as they don't want to put money into many new intellectual properties pass a money hat or paying for part of the development.

Notice they didn't own the development team, it's always one foot in and one foot out.

[Fist4achin]

So is MS deliberately trying to make their gaming division fail? Xbox as a brand has been disappointing ever since 5 years or so into the 360. They just don't seem to want to get any exclusives. Is it nobody wants to develop for them because of stupid pressures and unrealistic deadlines or do they not want to shell out the cash? MS has tons of money so I can't see a shortage of money to be the problem?

[_-EDMIX-_]

@fist- I agree I don't understand what's happening with this company as they have more money to technically producing more content than Sony it sounds like they have some sort of Sleeper Cell with somebody within Microsoft literally does not want that gaming division to be successful.

I just don't know what to think anymore regarding this, the next two months has more PlayStation 4 exclusives then Microsoft has for the entire year.....

[ChrisChambers]

Do you have any special inside info we should know? If not, then nobody gives a shit what you think. Sorry to break it to you so harshly, but you're nobody.

This game looked like dogshit from day one. It's sales would have been pathetic even if it turned out being decent. Which judging by everything that's ever been shown, wouldn't be the case. Cutting the cord and stopping the hemorrhaging of money is the best thing to do. The fake butthurt on this site and others is laughable, you all know you wouldn't have bought this trash.

But you know, whatever helps the hate Microsoft circle jerk...Even though none of you would front millions of dollars on a pile of shit

[joab777]

Actually yeah b/c NMS is pretty good now and very original and beautiful! And continuous updates will make it even better. People will buy his next game, but will handle its release and marketing better!

This could be good for gamers b/c now Sony can grab it and lfinish the game. They are in no hurry as they have an insane number of exclusives coming and haven't invested anything!

[_-EDMIX-_]

I don't care if it's Sony Sega Square Enix or whoever I want someone to take over this game so Gamers get to play and it is very clear that Microsoft is walking on ice with these titles if any sudden thing could make them pull support.

This gives me very little confidence in this company to produce anything worthwhile if this how they treat their Investments

[trooper_]

So less games is a good thing?

The potential was THERE. Let's not make excuses here.

[rainslacker]

Platinum has been around for a while. They've had their share of crap games, and their share of great games. They're a hit or miss developer, and outside the hardcore, they aren't a recognized developer where most people would care when their next game hits, any more than we hold P* accountable for their crap releases now.

They've proven they can make good games. Just because they make a dud every now and then hasn't doomed them to obscurity.

[Abash]

No, please don't spin it like that. Platinum makes a lot of great action games, I am pinning this on MS for not working closely with Platinum to allow them to create the game they both wanted.

[darthv72]

We don't know what really transpired. Platinum is also working on Nier and it could be that game was progressing at a better rate than scalebound.

I hope Nintendo comes to Platinum's aid again and secures the game for Switch.

[generic-user-name]

Keep an eye on the sites who try to downplay this and make it a 'good' thing. These are the sites who damage control for MS.

[TXIDarkAvenger]

Meh, it just seems like a good idea on paper but in reality it was trash. The game looks like it was in development hell and early builds of the game didn't promising at all. I think working with Sony or Nintendo wouldn't really change much. Hideki Kamiya is a perfectionist and the ideas this game had weren't realistic to do in a certain amount of time. With constant delays, I can't really say I'm surprised Microsoft cancelled the game instead of dumping even more money into the game.

[Omnislashver36]

I'm pinning it on Kamiya. He used the douchey main character and dubstep, that's not MS's fault. With a game of this calibur they should have gotten better reactions from fans, but this game appealed to the Mountain Dew swilling, dubstep listening, vaping, Dorito's eating crowd, and was very niche in that regard. I pin it soley on Kamiya- they need to bring Kenji Saito to the forefront with his Kill la Kill game concept now.

That, or Platinum needs to keep the engine and do a Drakengard game with Square-Enix, but I wouldn't let Kamiya near another game like this. Absolutely ridiculous character design and music.

[Nyxus]

"Microsoft has a big year ahead, especially with the scheduled release of Project Scorpio. A PlatinumGames RPG could make it a lot better, but isn't completely necessary."

I disagree. Microsoft sorely needs a bigger and most of all more diverse gaming line-up. What do they have to replace Scalebound with?

[gangsta_red]

I disagree with that too. I was really looking forward to Scalebound.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Lol so apparently actual games are not necessary lol oh boy.

I like how they think their problem is they have too many games

Hahahaha I can't stop laughing

[Gaming4Life1981]

I agree scalebound looked like it would be a good game and i wanted to play it, sucks that it was cancelled. I really hope ms has more games to announce that are coming this year or this cancelled game will seriously hurt them this year. Cuphead, below, sea of thieves, halo wars 2, and crackdown 3 all seem like they will be good games but those games have been delayed and talked about forever, something new is needed.

[Tussin187]

That's a nice list but 2 of those are indies. Remember those don't count as games as I have heard countless times on this site.

[Moonman]

Totally agreed. They have 25 million (estimated give or take) capable systems out here to play GAMES on already. Scorpion is like buying a second stove when you have no food to cook on the one you have.

[Herbalistic]

Microsoft problem is the lack of having a diverse line up which could attract more gamers. launching a new piece of hardware won't do much with out the software needed to bring in new buyers. Microsoft needs Xbox to break away from only being known as the shooter/racer machine.

[Tussin187]

Well, apparently it doesn't matter as long as it's NATIVE 4k right? That makes everything better even if you don't have a 4k TV. It just something for the fanboys to brag about. Haven't you heard. Everyone has a 4k television now.

There are going to be tons of fanboys claiming how good the games on Scorpio looks in 4k on their 1080p TVs. They're going to be able to see the difference. But are blind when it comes to the Pro.

[Doopy]

Lack of diversity?

Halo wars - rts
Halo - fps
Forza - racing sim
Forza Horizon - open world racing arcade
Killer Instinct - Fighting
Gears - TPS cover
Quantum Break -Tps adventure
Sunset/dead rising- sandbox game

There is more, but you get the idea.

[RAM0N]

I'm not even surprised by this

[GrimDragon]

Game honestly didn't look compelling enough anyway.

[Gamist2dot0]

Let's hope the rumor is false. But if true, It's not a good thing because you need some games to show off the POWER of the Scorpio. Strength in numbers, MS.

[Nyxus]

Sorry, it's already been confirmed to be true.

[trooper_]

It's confirmed.

[StarElite]

Does this mean everything announced on E3 2014 was a lie?

[Rimeskeem]

Well, if Crackdown is also cancelled then yes. Though when they announced it at E3 2014 with expected 2015 release date you could say that was a lie. Xbox 2017 looks bad (software wise). But Xbox Scorpio isn't under 500$ it's going to be really bad.

[Tussin187]

Even if Crackdown survives, that still doesn't look that good on there part. But Sony gets hell for just delaying games.

Remember all the bickering about who wins E3. Well, looking at it now, there seems to be a clear winner. Not to be mean but just saying.

[FallenAngel1984]

Scalebound getting canned just makes this article very tragic

http://www.onlysp.com/scale...

[ElementX]

Platinum has a spotty past. They have a good game like Transformers or Bayonetta then duds like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Star Fox Zero

[bluefox755]

"good thing"?
Really? C'mon, if you're gonna spin it, at least be subtle about it.

[Steveoreno1]

The spin is real. The difference between Bayonetta and Scalebound is one publisher stayed out of it. Just let them make the game they invisoned.

[VsAssassin]

Looking forward to MS's E3 2017 conference after this sad news is ok, saying it's a good thing SB is cancelled is beyond me! The article writer didn't really defend his opinion why it's a good thing SB got cancelled in the first place. The only good thing I can think of is if Platinum Games owns 100% of SB, they could continue working on it in some form--maybe even partner with Sony or Nintendo to create a spiritual version of it.

[trooper_]

Excuses won't change Microsoft's dilemma.

[medman]

Yikes. Yowsers.

[XXanderXX]

How is cancellation of a new IP a good thing. if it had been an IP that been milked then sure cancel cause plots are running thin. New IP deserve a chance at market or to establish it self. Hopefully they give it a second look later on after some time.

[BizarroUltraman]

This was a blow. No other way to look at it, no matter the excuse. Losing Scalebound was bad.

How does MS make up for this? Trust me this news is major right now, with alot angry Xbox gamers on the forums.

[MasterCornholio]

I'm guessing that Microsoft will make it up with Scorpio.

[Tumaras]

Well good and bad. On the good side if it was looking bad better to cancel than put out another awful game.

On the bad side, this was one on a very short list of XB1 exclusives that weren't just Xbox Arcade type small games like Cuphead, State of Decay 2, etc. In fact it was one of their primary exclusives previewed last year at E3. So this is a tough cut.

[Godmars290]

Can we just say that with this article the console wars are officially over and that Xbox - Fanboy - lost?

At this point for this to be a good thing MS would have to announce - and deliver - on ten high profile titles. Announce AND deliver. And they have to be decent to good.

[rainslacker]

I'd settle for one or two. When an indie platformer(Cuphead) is the last thing worth looking forward to with the currently announced games, then there's a problem.

[Godmars290]

Talking about the general market, not just someone who already has one looking to justify buying it.

That the XB1's initial roll out ignored its key market is a problem I doubt they'll ever truly recognize thus never resolve.

[rainslacker]

True enough. I think for the general market, MS has enough in store for them. I don't think there is much this year, and while DR and SoD are generally respected IP's, they aren't really the kind of games that people highly anticipate and buy consoles for.

They could probably get buy with 2-3 high profile games though. It doesn't take an mountain of games to generate interest. I mean, MS manages it to some degree with Halo and Gears. The problem with that model though is that it doesn't do much to attract many new customers. Things like QB and SB are the kinds of things that attract new customers. For MS though, is that they are very inconsistent with showing that they expand themselves to new things like that a lot, so while they get some sparks, there is rarely any ongoing fire to compel those that take longer to make their purchasing decision.

MS is hoping for more power to sell the Scorpio. When they can look at their own history, ignoring what people rightfully credit Sony's success to, and see that they sold the most consoles when they had a ton of awesome compelling exclusive content.

The loss of SB is made to look bigger than it is, because they have so much less to fall back on.

[Silly gameAr]

There's no telling how much MS has spent on the development on this game, and it's been in development for at lest three years. It must have been in terrible shape for MS to go this far and decide to pull the plug, but that's their decision, and it probably wasn't an easy one to make.

The money and man hours put into this game obviously just wasn't worth it to MS, and no, a game being cancelled is never a good thing, no matter how you spin it. You spend years working on something, and it never sees the light of day, how is that a good thing?

[rlow1]

I love all the armchair quarterbacking going on. Nobody knows why it was canceled and until we have a better idea (hopefully) it's up in the air. If can get some deeper insights, then we'll be able to judge the situation from a much better angle. This stuff always remind me of a large mob with pitchforks ready to kill without understanding. Oh well, let the burning commence.

[Hotabang]

http://n4g.com/news/2003162...

now fight

[corroios]

Of course it is. IT was just the biggest new IP of 2017 for Microsoft. Up, very good....

[pyroxxx]

How is it a good thing.. MS already has zero exclusive games on their system, with everything they have being on PC also,.. now they have a game less.

Yes it is a good thing,.. if you thing MS should not even be in the gaming, because they are dangerous for my hobby. In a sense this is wonderful, especially for Sony. They basically have a monopoly on the gaming and they never abused it (actually there is more completion with software,.. Games have to really be good for market to even notice them)

[NotAFanboyyy]

This isn't a good thing any way you slice it. This was definitely the most unique game in the upcoming Xbox camp. But it seems blame could be on both sides. For Microsoft, their imposed deadlines may not have been flexible enough. For Platinum, clearly the studio had too many projects going on simultaneously. Shame they couldn't come to a common ground and get this game finished. Since Spencer took over, it doesn't seem like Microsoft will tolerate prolonged development time, which I don't feel will be a good long-term strategy. Not every game can be pumped out annually like a sports or racing title.

[Jayszen]

I am now concerned for Cuphead and Sea of Thieves. Cuphead was supposed to be out last year and was delayed and the Sea of Thieves is due this quarter and yet we have yet to see much of anything about the game.

Scalebound was supposed to be a game from a major Japanese studio, Platinum no less, a dev that has made some really great games. I believe that Microsoft demanded change after change that ultimately soured the relationship and led to delays and ultimately cancellation. Look at what happened with Phantom Dust and Fable. The fact is that if Microsoft wanted to support Scalebound, the company would have done so despite any issues. Xbox fanboys used to tease Sony about the Last Guardian but the game eventually arrived on the next generation console - because Sony wanted the game to be out there. This is what I and a lot of gamers have complained about Microsoft - there is little interest in creating and supporting new IPs. Most decisions this generation have been for short-term corporate gains and little to do with building a roster of games that can satisfy Xbox gamers as well as attracting new consumers to the brand.

Microsoft never needed Scorpio but rather needed a diverse line of new and old IPs and games that gamers could get behind. The company could have even done Xbox One S and most gamers would have been more than happy with a marginally upgraded console and more games. The fact is that most of the decisions Microsoft has made this generation with regard to Xbox have been to keep the investors satisfied and little to do with pushing gaming forward. The only people who will buy a console that has no exclusives and do exactly what many can do with a decent gaming PC will be the die hard and delusional Xbox fanboys who will the just stare at the Scorpio muttering "the most powerful console - we have won this generation". The rest of us will be playing tons of games on our PS4s, PCs and very shortly, the Nintendo Switch!

[_LarZen_]

Xbox One more excuse....

[windblowsagain]

Crackdown sold 1.8mill
Crackdown 2 sold less 1.2mill.

With like 70mill xbox players.

How is Crackdown 3 going to sell well with less xboxone players, it'll be lucky to break 500k.