Chrono Trigger has amassed quite the following of fans over the years since its release on the Super NES, and many would say that Square Enix has done little to capitalize on it. As a result, fans have taken it upon themselves to try to keep things going by creating their own games and stories.

One such game was Chrono Trigger: Crimson Echoes, which was a fan modification of the original Chrono Trigger ROM that began work in 2004. "By May 2009," the website states, "the game featured ~35 hours of game play, 10 multiple endings, and 23 chapters, much like the original Chrono Trigger; it was around 98% complete. The plot featured the original cast as they struggled against a new villain risen from the legacy of Zeal."

You can see some of it for yourself here.



More can be viewed here.

The project was, of course, a non-profit venture, "made by fans for fans without copyright claim or intent to make profit." However, it was not to be.

Square Enix evidently chose to wait and pick their spot before dropping the bomb: "On May 8, 2009, Chrono Trigger: Crimson Echoes received a cease & desist letter, along with all other game modification activity (even research) at the Chrono Compendium. In compliance with the letter, the development team ceased development on the game, and existing modifications (including Prophet's Guile) were taken down."

Of course, Square Enix are well within their rights to do this, though I think the matter of timing could have been handled in a more sensible fashion. Then again, Square Enix isn't exactly known for their tact or decency when dealing with the outside world, either.

Nonetheless, project member ZeaLitY remains a little optimistic that perhaps this is a sign of greater things to come: "I sincerely hope this action is a sign that Square Enix cares about the franchise and intends to produce future titles, and not merely a shortsighted legal exercise that will further alienate a tired, neglected fan-base."

The Gamer Access, however remains skeptical, noting that "previous projects were shut down years ago, and have we seen anything other than a remake? No, we have not."

In some ways, it seems like missed potential, as they go on to recall: "This angers me to no end. The team behind Crimson Echoes had no intention of making any money off of this project, nor was it started from scratch like previous endeavors. There a ton of ROM hacks that exist for tons of different games all over the internet, yet Square Enix feel the need to shut down any "threats", which would have only increased interest in the series. When fans modded Half-Life and created the first-person success we all know and love as Counter-Strike, what did Valve do? They bought the license for the game and made money off of it instead of arrogantly shutting down the hardwork of their fans.

"Why can't Square Enix do this? When you practically ignore a series with a massive fanbase and don't release a brand new game in it for 10 years you have to expect these things. Why not make some money and promote the work of your fans at the same time?"

I always figured that if one is going to create something of this sort, the best thing to do is keep your mouth shut. When one group of fans began to work on an "HD" version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2, my greatest concern was that mass-exposure would draw attention to it, and see the project's demise. I haven't really heard anything from the project, for good or ill, so it's difficult to say whether they're still going.

On the other hand, there are those who find that taking the risk of being in the public eye might pay better dividends. Such is the case of the completed Mother 3 translation project, who simply wanted an English version for fans to enjoy. They made no secret of their intentions, and were up front about their willingness to abandon it at any point prior to completion if Nintendo decided to release the game in English. Sadly, we all know how that turned out. Nintendo never made any official comment about it, but it's hard to imagine they didn't know.

Technically, many of these kinds of projects are illegal, though some companies are more willing to take a "don't ask, don't tell" stance than others. But if one were to delve deeper into the moral fiber of the issue, one is left to wonder if actions such as Square Enix's are really right.

Sure, they have the right to do what they did, and they acted on it. But then one is left to wonder if that's the best thing in the long run for the company's public image. As others above have noted, if Square Enix wants to provide the real deal, then so much the better-- many fans would likely rather have the genuine article than a fan-concocted fabrication.

We know how fiercely protective Square Enix can be, but if it turns out that they don't have any intent of creating their own new addition to the Chrono series, then were the fans really doing any harm? Or are Square Enix the ones doing more harm than good by squelching their hard work at the last minute?

At the very least, I imagine there would have been less of a sting if they pulled the trigger earlier; then again, maybe they didn't know about it until this point.

Feel free to debate the matter further in our comments below.