Chrono Break Explained

Developer:Square
Publisher:Square
Series:Chrono
Genre:Role-playing
Release:Cancelled

Chrono Break is a cancelled third mainline entry in the Chrono series of video games by Square. While never officially announced by the company, commentary from Chrono series developers Masato Kato, Hironobu Sakaguchi, and Takashi Tokita have confirmed early plans for the game, alongside a number of trademarks filed in the game's name. However, the game would ultimately go unproduced, with many members of the internal development team either moving on to Final Fantasy XI or leaving the company in favor of freelance work. The game elicited much commentary from the company and the video game press in the following years, though as of 2021, all trademarks had expired, with no announced plans to work on the game.

History

Registration

The initial Chrono Break trademark for a video game was registered by Square (now Square Enix) in the United States on December 5, 2001.[1] A similar trademark was registered by the company in the European Union a week later.[2]

The registration followed a press report of talks about a new Chrono series game. Within this report, Hironobu Sakaguchi stated that the development team of Chrono Cross, especially Masato Kato, was interested in creating a new game in the series, and that script and story ideas were currently being considered, but that the project had not yet been greenlighted.[3] Kato had previously mentioned in the Ultimania guide for Chrono Cross that he wanted to create a direct sequel to Chrono Trigger to wrap up certain story elements and plot threads, but the pitfalls of a direct sequel prompted them to do Chrono Cross instead.[4] The registration, and Sakaguchi's comments, led video game journalists to believe that a sequel to Chrono Trigger and Chrono Cross was in full development.[5] IGN Editor Douglass Perry went as far as to say "...we're almost positive that you can expect to see this awaited monster in 2004."[6] On November 13, 2003, the trademark was dropped in the U.S. It expired on December 14, 2011, in the European Union, and on July 26, 2012, in Japan.[7] A similar trademark was registered in 2001 by Square Enix in Japan as .[8]

Official response

Inquiry over a new title was subsequently large enough to warrant an entry in Square Enix's FAQ page, in which the company noted that no new game was in development, though this did not mean the series was dead.[9] In 2006, the entry was revised to include sequel inquiries for any series. After the release of Chrono Cross, a number of key staff from the title left Square to form a new development studio, Monolith Soft, which was initially owned by Namco and is currently a first-party developer working under Nintendo.[10] Other staff who had worked on the title remained at Square and proceeded to work on Final Fantasy XI, an MMORPG conceived by Hironobu Sakaguchi – one of Chrono Triggers creators. During an interview at E3 2003, this development team stated that they would love to develop a new Chrono game, but their commitment to Final Fantasy XI would keep them busy for a long time.[11] Richard Honeywood, localization director for Square Enix, explained,

Takashi Tokita, who directed Chrono Trigger, mentioned a "Chrono Trigger 2" in a 2003 interview which has not been translated to English.[12] Trigger developer Yuji Horii expressed no interest in returning to the Chrono franchise in 2005.[13] In February 2007, Square Enix producer Hiromichi Tanaka took part in several interviews while promoting games in Europe. Tanaka reiterated that no new game was in development, but that a return was certainly not out of the question.[14] [15]

In January 2008, composer Yasunori Mitsuda remarked that "there are a lot of politics involved" in creating a new game, and stressed that Masato Kato should participate in development should a new entry in the series materialize.[16] He did say that he was open to working with the company on the series again "if they had a good concept for the game", and he speculated that Kato "probably would" as well.[16]

In August 2014, at a PAX Prime panel, Sakaguchi stated that he had intended on continuing the Chrono series into another game, but that problems with Square Enix management prevented it from coming to fruition.[17]

In December 2015, Kato confirmed that Square Enix had indeed discussed a project called Chrono Break, but that he was personally not involved with it.[18]

In December 2017, Tokita stated that some smaller elements of Chrono Break eventually made it into his Final Fantasy Dimensions II game. He explained: "There was actually a time when I planned a new title called Chrono Break. Though it was canceled before accomplishing anything, the overall idea for the title was carried over to my latest game, Final Fantasy Dimensions II. Aemo's character setting and the balance between the three characters at the beginning ... these were based on the original concept [for ''Chrono Break''] but were reworked for this title."[19] Tokita confirmed the following year that he had begun preproduction on the game in 2000, and ultimately recycled his story ideas for Final Fantasy Dimensions II.[20]

Aftermath

The February 2008 issue of Game Informer ranked the Chrono series eighth among the "Top Ten Sequels in Demand", naming the games "steadfast legacies in the Square Enix catalogue" and asking "what's the damn holdup?!".[21] In Electronic Gaming Monthlys June 2008 "Retro Issue", writer Jeremy Parish cited Chrono as the franchise video game fans would be most thrilled to see a sequel to.[22] 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.[23] At E3 2009, SE Senior Vice President Shinji Hashimoto remarked "If people want a sequel, they should buy more!"[24] In 2012, a trademark for Chrono Bind by Square Enix lead Siliconera to speculate that the game had switched titles from Chrono Break to Chrono Bind; however, it was later revealed to merely be the name of a DLC card game in Final Fantasy XIII-2.[25] [26] [27] [28] In the same year, Kotaku expressed disappointment that Square Enix had not acted on the Chrono Break name, citing strong sales of the DS port of Chrono Trigger as a reason as to why the company should release a third game in the series.[29] Siliconera described the game as "a beacon of hope" for the game's fanbase, as proof that the company had in the past plans to continue the series.[30] Kato revealed in 2015 that he had no involvement with whatever project Square had begun to develop under the Chrono Break trademark, and that his idea for a final game would have involved Kid and other "all-star" characters rescuing Crono, Marle, and Lucca.[31] Though acknowledging in this interview that his idea of an ending to the trilogy would "never come out", Kato then discussed his involvement in writing Another Eden, which notably features a frog knight character and time travel.

A Chrono Break trademark was registered by Seruao Co. Ltd. on February 12, 2024. [32]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2003-11-13 . Latest Status Info . Trademark Applications and Registration Retrieval . 2006-06-01 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20051123102906/http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=76345716 . 2005-11-23 .
  2. Web site: 2002-12-02 . 002512853 - CHRONO BREAK. EUIPO.
  3. Web site: Shahed Ahmed . 2001-07-03 . New Chrono game in planning stages . . 1 July 2006 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120118221013/http://www.gamespot.com/news/2782608.html?q=chrono . 18 January 2012 .
  4. Book: 1999 . Studio BentStuff . Chrono Cross Ultimania . 476–477 . Japanese . Square Enix . 4-925075-73-X . 2009-10-02 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20090418044713/http://www.chronocompendium.com/Term/Ultimania_Developer_Interviews.html . 2009-04-18 .
  5. Web site: > Square-Enix Gives Chrono Break Trademark Some Playmates . RPGamer . 2013-10-06 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141113044027/http://www.rpgamer.com/news/Q2-2003/042503e.html . 2014-11-13 .
  6. Web site: The Big Games of 2003, Pt. 1 . IGN . 2013-09-13 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130926113230/http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/03/07/the-big-games-of-2003-pt-1?page=4 . 2013-09-26 .
  7. Web site: Square Enix Abandons Chrono Break Trademark: News from . 1UP.com . 2013-09-18.
  8. Web site: http://www1.ipdl.inpit.go.jp/syutsugan/TM_DISPLAY_A.cgi?0&145901640000000000000000000000000000000000_TM_simple.html&130601765661233603829832 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131230233422/http://www1.ipdl.inpit.go.jp/syutsugan/TM_DISPLAY_A.cgi?0&145901640000000000000000000000000000000000_TM_simple.html&130601765661233603829832 . 2013-12-30 . ja:第4590164号 . 2002-07-26 . . Japanese . dead .
  9. Does SQUARE ENIX have any plans to develop a sequel to Chrono Cross?
    A sequel to Chrono Cross is not in development. This doesn't mean we will never make a sequel. However, resources are being focused on other titles at this moment. Keep an eye on our Press Release page to keep up with current information on upcoming titles from SQUARE ENIX.Web site: Support FAQ. https://web.archive.org/web/20050418100502/http://www.square-enix.com/na/support/faq/. 2005-04-18. Square Enix. 2006-08-01.
  10. Web site: Sato . Monolith Soft Discuss Their Closer Relationship With Nintendo . Siliconera . . 2013-02-08 . 2013-09-13 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130926233229/http://www.siliconera.com/2013/02/08/monolith-soft-discuss-their-closer-relationship-with-nintendo/ . September 26, 2013 .
  11. Web site: 2003-05-14 . Jeremy Dunham . E3 2003: Final Fantasy XI Developer Interview . . 23 December 2006 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20070101001132/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/402/402807p1.html . 1 January 2007 .
  12. Web site: 2003-07-16. 【ゲームな人々】第11回 長きに渡って活躍する凄腕プロデューサー 時田貴司氏(後編). https://web.archive.org/web/20060307204754/http://game.goo.ne.jp/contents/news/NGN20030716exp03/index.html. 2006-03-07. 2008-01-15.
  13. Web site: Alex Fraioli, Sam Kennedy. 2005-12-02. Dragon Quest vs. America. 1UP.com. 2007-10-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20121013223558/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3146024. 2012-10-13. Alt URL
  14. Web site: 2002-01-31 . Interview vidéo Final Fantasy III . Jeux-France . 2007-02-02 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20070930155556/http://www.jeux-france.com/news18999.html . 2007-09-30 .
  15. Web site: Adam Riley . 2002-02-01 . Hiromichi Tanaka, Square Enix . Cubed3 . 2007-02-02 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110716184615/http://www.cubed3.com/news/6729/1/ . 2011-07-16 .
  16. Web site: Yasunori Mitsuda. 2008-01-28. Radical Dreamer: Yasunori Mitsuda Interview from 1UP.com. 1UP.com. 2008-02-08. live. https://archive.today/20121205003225/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=0&cId=3162780. 2012-12-05.
  17. Web site: Hironobu Sakaguchi wanted Chrono Trigger to evolve in a series "like a Final Fantasy" Polygon . . 2014-08-30 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140901210159/http://www.polygon.com/2014/8/30/6085559/chrono-trigger-sequel-sakaguchi . 2014-09-01 .
  18. Book: December 2015. Mariela Gonzalez. Más allá del Tiempo. 253–254. Héroes de Papel.
  19. Web site: Cancelled Chrono Trigger Game Lives on in Final Fantasy Mobile Title . Sullivan, Meghan . 2017-12-21 . . . 2018-03-03 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180225234756/http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/12/21/cancelled-chrono-trigger-sequel-lives-on-in-final-fantasy-game . 2018-02-25 .
  20. Web site: Another Eden Festival 2018 . 2018-04-19 . . Square Enix . 2023-12-09.
  21. Book: February 2008. Game Informer staff. Game Informer. 24–25. GameStop Corporation.
  22. Book: June 2008. Jeremy Parish. Electronic Gaming Monthly Retro Issue: Missing in Action. 95. Ziff Davis Inc..
  23. May 2009 . . Famitsu Readers Vote Their Most Wanted Sequels . 2009-10-02 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090804171042/http://www.ps3hyper.com/news/famitsu-readers-voted-their-most-wanted-sequels/ . 2009-08-04 .
  24. Web site: Alex . Donaldson . 2009-06-05 . Square: Want more Chrono Trigger? Buy More! . 2009-06-15 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091203144558/http://www.rpgsite.net/news/342/square-want-more-chrono-trigger-buy-more.html . 2009-12-03 .
  25. Web site: Spencer . Chrono Bind Domain Registered By Square, Will This Be A Chrono Trigger Sequel? . Siliconera . 2012-02-27 . 2013-10-06 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20131006070300/http://www.siliconera.com/2012/02/27/chrono-bind-domain-registered-by-square-enix-will-this-be-a-chrono-trigger-sequel/ . 2013-10-06 .
  26. Web site: Chrono Bind Domains Registered By Square Enix . G4tv.com . 2012-02-27 . 2013-10-06 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140120124209/http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/721140/chrono-bind-domains-registered-by-square-enix/ . 2014-01-20 .
  27. Web site: Square Enix Registers Domain for Chrono Bind, Which Has Nothing To Do With Chrono Trigger . . . 2012-02-27 . 2013-10-06 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140103073852/http://kotaku.com/5888575/square-enix-registers-domain-for-chrono-bind-which-has-nothing-to-do-with-chrono-trigger . 2014-01-03 .
  28. Web site: Chrono Bind is Not Chrono Trigger 3 or Chrono Break . Playstationlifestyle.net . 2013-10-06 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20131004212902/http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2012/02/27/relax-chrono-bind-is-not-chrono-trigger-3-or-chrono-break/ . 2013-10-04 .
  29. Web site: 2012-05-15 . Five Other Games From 2000 That Need Sequels In 2012 . . . 2013-10-06 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20130917215021/http://kotaku.com/5910400/five-other-games-from-2000-that-need-sequels-in-2012 . 2013-09-17 .
  30. Web site: Chrono Break May Be Forever Lost In Time But Its Concept Lives On In A Final Fantasy Dimension . Sato . 2017-12-21 . Siliconera . . 2018-03-03 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20171222081849/http://www.siliconera.com/2017/12/21/chrono-break-may-forever-lost-time-concept-lives-final-fantasy-dimension/ . 2017-12-22 .
  31. Book: Más Allá del Tiempo. Héroes de Papel. 978-8494288166. es. 2015-12-01. 253. Translation
  32. Web site: 2024-02-12 . 98402427 . . English.

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