READ FIRST: Ok so, let me start by saying...I read most of this forum already, I know most of the current situation (But not all of it) from these posts. I guess this would be some sort of an intro post for me to the forums...yay
Second: Reading the first little bit and hearing about the 12 yr old's giving advice and middle aged people sitting in their basements...I assure you I'm not 12. More like 20. I will not be pulling a hate post saying "OMG SQUARE ENIX IS GAY". I've supported them for years, buying their products. Side note being I hate their decisions on games, and this is one of them. They royally messed up Final Fantasy, and they're about to do the same with Chrono Trigger. As for the basement part, it's like 1:44 AM here, I decided I'd post some of my thoughts on this matter. Although, people really need to stop pulling the legality's into this matter, because it could get a lot of people in trouble.
Ok so, lets start on the post.
When I found out about Chrono Trigger, I was about 5 or 6 years old. Man, did I ever think it was such an awesome game. My Grandmother (Yeah, believe it or not back in the day) had this game, and I'd BEG her constantly to let me borrow the game. Whenever I could borrow the game off of her, I would. A few of my cousins on that side of the family would have save files. I don't know why but I would constantly delete them (because you could only hold 3
) and I liked to save certain portions of the game. I didn't know much at the time, so I really sucked at it. As time went on however, I progressed further and further and learned as much as I possibly could about the game from my family members that would play it. I don't know if this hit any of you, but when I discovered Zeal for the first time, I was literally blown away by its music, its atmosphere, and its tragic end. I was around 7 when I finally got around to getting that far (Yeah, Turtles in Time really ate up my time, that and a Sony Playstation.) One of the most saddest days of my life would of been when my Grandmother sold the game, and I lost all chances of playing that game when I could. This game took up most of my childhood, not being able to play it took it up a lot more.
When I heard the news, I IMMEDIATELY sprung into action, and went to the local rental store. My god, was that game ever rented out a lot. The few chances I HAD to rent it, I did. I remember racking up a few bills on my Dad's account there because I forgot to bring it back, 10 days late. But, this further fueled my sadness when the rental store moved onto only Playstation games in or around 1998ish. Yeah, I was forced to move onto the Playstation's crappy games. But what I really wanted, was that copy of Chrono Trigger.
Me as a kid then was just constantly talking about the game. Asking people if they played it, knew what it was, knew how far they got and how far I got, had some discussions...But sadly, not a lot of people played it. Until around early 2001.
See, I used to bug my Dad to get me a copy of that Official Playstation Magazine. I loved all the demos it had in there and such. By now, FF7 has worked its way onto my computer, and I was constantly playing that. Why? Because, it reminded me of Chrono Trigger. Same with Final Fantasy 6 on the Playstation. I didn't know much about gaming companies and stuff, but I knew the connection it had after a while. One day, I got a magazine with the cover saying that they were going to re-release Chrono Trigger and Final Fantasy 4 on the Playstation! Man, the joy I felt was amazing. I read the article at least 4 times a week on the bus just eying down the pictures and the details of it. Finally! My VERY own copy of Chrono Trigger! I was SO excited, I told EVERYONE that I knew.
I remember working where I could around the house to scrounge up money for the game. I BEGGED my Mom for some money to get it, and I finally did. You should of seen how FAST I ran to the store down the street (Zellers) to go and buy this game. But little did I know...
See, this is where things started to get messed up.
You all must of played it for the PS1, correct? Man, they (Sorry for swearing but...) FUCKED up the port SO badly. But I was 11 going on 12. I really didn't care THAT much. All I cared about is that I had my own copy, and I could play it as much as I wanted to! I loved the new features. Until then, I didn't even know they had that many endings. I collected as much as I could, and played the crap out of it.
As time grew on, Middle and High School kicked in...and I began to loose interest. Well, seeing as how they only released Chrono Cross as "somewhat" of a sequel to Chrono Trigger, it really didn't expand much on the story in my mind at the time. All I cared about was..."What happened to Magus? What became of the group...did they actually die?" Yeah, I was really confused and wanted answers, and I went seeking for them.
When I was 14, I joined IRC. This is where I got "Ctfan" from, it just kinda stuck. I found a site that had a devoted fan base to fan fiction and the like about Chrono Trigger, and they had an IRC channel. So, I promptly joined. I remember my FIRST night on there was probably about a good 6-7 hours after school just talking to people about how much of a fan I was, and to know that there were other people out there like me. At the time I didn't have the proper skills to make my own website and such (yeah, I didn't know anything, really.) Looking back on it, the website looks like crap but...it was there. People just expressed their feelings and encouraged others to do the same. I was hooked. A year or two passed, and the people in the channel lost interest, and I moved on.
Around this time, I was 16. I personally lost interest in the series myself, but I never forgot about it. I focused on my High Schooling to become a better student to "try" my best to make my mark on the gaming industry. There is a LOT more of games I could name off of the top of my head that Squaresoft made, not just Chrono Trigger. But see the thing was, it was like they dropped all interest in Chrono Trigger and moved onto "Final Fantasy". Don't get me wrong, I <3 my Final Fantasy, but as I stated before, they just messed it up in later years. I know some people will disagree with me, but this is not a general opinion, just my own.
So fast forwarding into my final year of High School. Chrono Trigger was still fresh on my mind (as I recently played it a few times when I decided to unshelf my Playstation for a while.) Man, the excitement just came back to me. It was like playing the story from a fresh new perspective. I learned a lot more then I would of when I was younger. My knowledge finally reached it's peak. I wanted a new Chrono sequel, and I wanted it then.
I heard about the Compendium from reading some stuff on Wikipedia. Knowing of a fan base THIS large made me feel right at home. Reading updates on some of the Chrono Trigger Pre-Release WAS pretty much my daily reading material. Lots of people shared my views (from what I read) about making another Chrono Trigger sequel. This is when I found out about CE. Man, did that ever seem like a cool concept. Fans were actually taking action into their own hands. I didn't read much about it, because I recently heard at the time about Chrono Resurrection, and that having a C&D order. Granted, this made me want to think that Square was toiling away at a new re-release to the Chrono series. And, they finally took action.
About 2 summers ago, after finishing my first year of College, my friend linked me to a site with the suspected release of Chrono Trigger DS. And guess what, it was true! I REALLY was jumping for joy. The NEXT day I went out and tried to make a pre-order for the game, but they haven't even heard of it yet they told me. I was a bit angry, and gave a bit of a lecture. Then I left. After about a few weeks, it finally got announced to them, and I made my pre-order...4 MONTHS in advance. Yes, I was that excited for the game. I was excited that Square Enix took action...adding all the new content with the new feel with stylus controls and new dungeons. I was sold. Eventually when it came out, I bought it. I remember I grew a beard and REFUSED to shave it until I beat the game. Took me about a week (what with work and school), but I finally did. I felt triumphant! This is when I noticed the comparisons somewhat to the CT PS port, and this one was just amazing. It ACTUALLY gave me a lot of replay value, and I expected none the less from a Chrono game.
I know to some of you this might sound like a bunch of senseless garbage, but it's MY personal experience with Chrono Trigger. The excitement of a game that made me adore it for going on 15 years now. I know that those letters to Square Enix to show your support for a game rarely get read if any (Not like for games that Capcom made). Capcom listens to their fans, Square-Enix on the other hand...doesn't (Most of the time). If its non-Final Fantasy, I bet you your comments are probably ignored. I don't know because I never actually tried to send an email to show my respect for CT, but I heard stories over forums. They go no where.
I just recently learned of the C&D for CE. Like I said in the beginning, I won't get into legal talk or anything to keep people from getting in trouble but...Here's where the hate comes out.
Square Enix, you as a company haven't listened to requests as much as you should be. Yes, I know you released a CT DS port, but still, that's not enough. What's the damn hold up here?! Excuse me if I quote Wikipedia here.
(In the first May Famitsu of 2009, Chrono Trigger placed 14th out of 50 in a vote of most-wanted sequels by the magazine's readers. At E3 2009, SE Senior Vice President Shinji Hashimoto remarked, "If people want a sequel, they should buy more!")
Yeah, see that's total garbage. I think since Enix leeched onto Squaresoft, they started screwing with the stuff we love the most. Squaresoft (I don't use the Enix part too much, because I don't think Enix should be getting any type of success at all, just because they're latched with Squaresoft.) needs to listen to our needs. Obviously they know were out there (The fans). They KNOW we want a sequel or at least a bridge between CT and CC. YEAH, LETS BUY MORE AND SUPPORT THEM SO THEY GET
MORE MONEY AND MAKE OTHER GAMES NOT RELATED TO THE CHRONO SERIES. I think they like messing with us. Yeah, line their pockets and don't produce another game for us. I bet CT DS did well in sales...and with CE getting noticed by them...they know we want it, and we would pay for it. So Square...Enix see us as a community...like Capcom does with the Mega Man, and take that into consideration on how well Mega Man 9 sold...and give us another Chrono game already! We will support you in purchases, as will many more. Just don't linger on it for too long. By personal experience, people will be losing interest, and fast. Not a very good marketing move in my opinion, but once again, thats just an
opinion. So don't throw a hissy fit my way saying on how I'm throwing out slander to your company. I purchase the games you make, I love Final Fantasy, and you are the guys that MADE Chrono Trigger. I just wanted to give an opinion that wasn't so..."Go f*** yourself, Square Enix". You did WONDERS with FF4 The After Years, why can't you do the same with Chrono?
I hope that this C&D was a point in the direction of having another game made for the Chrono franchise (as I figured the C&D on Chrono Ressurection was to lead up to CT DS.) I would be saddened if this wasn't. If Chrono Trigger taught me, as a fan anything...it would be that there still is that one "Ray of shining hope" that will change things as we know it for the better. I got that inspiration from your game SE, live up to your words.
As for me? Sorry about my ramblings. If Square Enix really IS trolling these forums, it must be the only place that my voice can really be heard then being thrown out by them. I want them to know that I AM a loyal fan, and this game was very influential part of my life.
I'm currently in College (my final year) to become a Graphic Designer with some Animation (2d/3d)/Web Design under my belt. I finally believe that I am ready to contribute to the Chrono community, and that I shall. I hope my designs and the such that I would make in my free time (once I get more well known) will inspire other people to become fans, and to inspire Square Enix to make another game. It's a long shot, but I'm committed to doing it, as you as a fan base have been doing for so many years.
Thank you very much for your time, everyone.
