In an interview with Video Games Chronicle, Hideki Kamiya shared his thoughts on how the production of Scalebound could have unfolded differently if the studio had collaborated with a Japanese publisher. He highlighted the cultural differences between Japanese and Western publishers when approaching new projects.
Kamiya pointed out that Japanese publishers are more open to experimentation and embrace vague creative processes at the beginning of a project. This flexibility allows for the organic evolution of ideas without the need for a rigid structure from the start. On the contrary, international publishers tend to favor established formats and expect concrete results early on, which can hinder truly innovative concepts.
Using Scalebound as an example, Kamiya discussed the challenges faced by the team in pitching a game where players control both a human and a dragon. The lack of a clear reference for this unique mechanic made it difficult to secure funding and define gameplay, ultimately leading to doubts during production.
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