If they are unwilling to do something with Chrono themselves, then maybe they'll pass the torch onto another developer in exchange for a cut of the profits or an influx of much-needed cash.
That would be probably best scenario, but chances for something like that are very slim.
First, will SE really do that?Doubtful, only if company is in really bad financial situation, and selling IPs or some other kind of deal will bring quick money.
Secondly, most Japanese developers are moved away from their old JRPG series (Suikoden, Breath of Fire, etc).I cannot believe that Capcom/Sega/Namco/Konami/whatever will suddenly jump in trying to acquire Chrono IP.
Sony...I'm Playstation supporter, but Sony simply isn't interested for JRPGs.Sony invested so much effort in expanding PS exclusive library of titles and they didn't do anything in JRPG genre.By default, most JRPGs will come to PS, so why would Sony bother with Chrono?Plus, developing massive game like Chrono is probably imposibble for Sony Japan (weakest link in SCEWWS).
Nintendo...Well, they have Monolith Soft.Monolith+Kato+Mitsuda+Tanaka+Yuuki is ''Helll Yeahhh'' , it would be simply perfect.
But, with all money from DS and Wii....nothing.IMHO, Nintendo made a mistake for not trying to find/buy allready famous RPG franchise for Monolith.
Square-Enix
is in a bad financial situation. They lost $150 million in fiscal year 2011 and about $100 million FY 2012. These are huge numbers for a video game publisher/developer, and Square-Enix has only survived thus far on account of their size. Now their size has become a liability, and it is likely that they will have to shrink in order to remain competitive. In addition to their losses in revenue, they have lost considerable prestige in the market. In 2012, metacritic listed Square-Enix as #5 in their list of 21 best video-game developers, lagging behind the big four of Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, and Electronic Arts. In 2013, the big four juggled positions at the top while Square-Enix plummeted to #14, the biggest drop on the list. To put that decline in perspective, the now defunct THQ fell a bit less precipitously - dropping from #8 to #16 in the same time-frame. (Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_publisher) While this list is subjective, it is nonetheless a notable barometer of critical and consumer sentiment toward the industry. So not only has Square-Enix lost a lot of money already, they have lost a lot of future revenue in the form of market share. The only practical way for them to combat this is to roll the dice on a killer app that could restore their tarnished reputation. A Final Fantasy VII remake would be that app, but as Square-Enix themselves have said repeatedly, developing that remake would be outrageously expensive and time-consuming. They would need a huge influx of cash to cover the risk. Selling IPs and other assets is the only way I can think of for them to get this money, and since they have to shrink anyway to cover their earlier losses...
I doubt that another Japanese developer would want the Chrono franchise, for the reasons you mentioned. From their perspective, if Square-Enix feels inclined to let Chrono go, why should they want it? It is much more likely that a western developer would be willing to take on that risk (and more importantly pay more for the IP). And interested parties wouldn't necessarily be limited to video game developers. Movie studios are always on the lookout for IPs that they can exploit. In fact, that is probably the best hope for Chrono at this point. No video-game based movie has yet been a major success (aside from the fictional Wreck-it-Ralph), but studios also know that they have not yet attempted something epic in scope. The right studio could do wonders with the right game. Imagine what Dreamworks could do with Chrono?
Sony not interested in JRPGs? What have you been smoking? The PS3 has had numerous releases of JRPGs, albeit in limited volume. Atalier and Disgaia come to mind. It's Microsoft that isn't interested in the genre. They haven't had a notable JRPG since Tales of Vesperia.
Nintendo? Meh. I mean, Nintendo certainly knows how to make a great game, but I just can't get excited about any system they would put it on. The Wii-U has little to recommend it, and putting a new Chrono on a mere handheld system would be a complete waste of the franchise's potential. It's also worth noting that Square-Enix's relationship with Nintendo isn't exactly a warm one. Remember what happened in the 90's when the Nintendo/Sony partnership crumbled and Nintendo opted for the cartridge-based Nintendo 64? Squaresoft bolted and made Final Fantasy VII for the Playstation instead. Nintendo never recovered from that defection.