Square-Enix squashes another another fan project.

[Squall Leonhart]

From ROM Hacking:

The Chrono Trigger romhack project “Chrono Trigger: Crimson Echoes” and “all other Square-Enix-related ROM hacks” has apparently received a Cease & Desist, as suggested by both the latest newspost found on the Chrono Compendium and at the project’s official website.

The following is what was recently posted on the frontpage of the Chrono Compendium:

On May 8, we received a wide-reaching cease and desist letter from Square Enix, Inc. As with Chrono Trigger: Resurrection and Chrono Trigger Remake Project’s letters, we have uploaded the letter for viewing here as a matter of public interest.

We have decided to comply with Square Enix’s demands. Most of the Chrono Compendium webpages and forums will be unaffected by these changes. However, our compliance has the practical effect of ending the Compendium’s support for ROM modification projects of any kind, with regard to copyrighted Square Enix works such as Chrono Trigger, Radical Dreamers, and Chrono Cross. We have already destroyed all known copies of Chrono Trigger: Crimson Echoes and other modifications and projects. We have also shut down and made inaccessible any discussion boards used for the development of ROM-hacking fan projects on this website, including:

* * Chrono Trigger: Crimson Echoes
* * Chrono Trigger: Prophet’s Guile
* * Retranslation of Chrono Trigger
* * Chrono Trigger Re-amped
* * Chrono Trigger Rebirth
* * Chrono Trigger Azala Style

The official Crimson Echoes website website was updated and now only shows the following:

Chrono Trigger: Crimson Echoes was a fan project modification of the Chrono Trigger ROM begun in late 2004. Development continue thanks to a dedicated group of fans through 2009. By May 2009, 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.

The team planned to release Crimson Echoes on May 31, 2009 as the first feature-length fan Chrono series game, and an unprecedentedly exhaustive work in the ROM modification community. 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.

We thank those fans who followed the game’s development, and also those who poured countless hours into the vision of a fun, new Chrono game, made by fans for fans without copyright claim or intent to make profit.

We understand the frustration. 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.

Signed ZeaLitY, Saturday May 9th, 2009

This would be the second time Square does this to a Chrono Trigger game. Last time, they did so just a few months before they announced the DS game, so the hopeful might suggest they could have something in the works, or the more business oriented might say they are "protecting" the DS remake's sales.

So, this might be redundant but... thoughts anyone?