Atsushi Inaba appealed to Microsoft to give the project another shot.

Back in 2014, Microsoft announced the development of Scalebound, an ambitious action game being created in tandem with PlatinumGames, creators of excellent action staples like Bayonetta and Astral Chain. Unfortunately, after that initial reveal, the development of the game went silent for a long time, until the project was unceremoniously cancelled in 2017.

In a recent interview with IGN Japan, Platinum CEO Atsushi Inaba, along with star director Hideki Kamiya, expressed regret that they weren’t able to finish the game, and that if they could secure Microsoft’s blessing, they would immediately resume development.

“Often in an interview you might hear a developer politely saying, ‘Yes, if we had the opportunity we’d love to work on that again’, but we don’t mean it that way,” Inaba said. “Both Kamiya and I are serious – we really would love to work on Scalebound again. I’d like to discuss it with Microsoft properly.”

Platinum Games wants to return to cancelled Xbox exclusive Scalebound – and director Hideki Kamiya appealed directly to Phil Spencer: “Phil! Phil! Let’s do it together!" https://t.co/dQ0dREOdpw pic.twitter.com/gSXUXF96uH

— IGN (@IGN) February 8, 2022

“Development had progressed a fair way, and it seems pointless for Microsoft to just hold on to that and not do anything with it,” Kamiya added, before saying “Phil! Phil! Let’s do it together!” in English, referring to Microsoft’s Xbox Head Phil Spencer.

At time of writing, Microsoft has not publicly responded to Platinum’s appeal.