8/9/09 -- Square Material and Fan Art
     As you may have noticed in the "Novelist Watch" above, a response is now en route to Square-Enix as part of my commitment to remain in communication with them.  It's obviously my hope that they will remain responsive so that I might fully gauge if the CT Novel can, through any feasible means, become reality.  As for other site updates, I have three new pieces of fan art from MagusChild, including a unique depiction of Magus as a cat.

     Also, for those who were concerned, the Chrono Compendium site was recently down, displaying only a message "Hello, world."  Though I have no idea of the reasons behind this message, their downtime was the result of site maintenance.  Furthermore, as a part of their recent C&D from Square-Enix, they are no longer allowing news updates to the site directly from fan project leaders.  Therefore, CTNP updates will be sent to Zeality and included as part of his general fan community updates.  Of course, you'll always find such updates in full detail right here at CTSite.

     Discuss in the Forum (continuing last update's discussion)

     7/27/09 -- What Lies Beyond?  A Site Update, For One.
     I must apologize profusely for my hiatus, but I promise that I have now returned!  (Those of you watching the forum, of course, already know this.)  I have tarried in making any announcements during a period of time in which I decided it was best to step back and gather my thoughts, but now I'm ready to inform all of you who have been very patient of just what is going on.  The fact is that within about 1 month of my submission to Square-Enix, I heard back from them.  The presentation packet and samples that I sent had reportedly been reviewed by what they called their "Chrono Trigger Team," and they were very impressed.  However, as the letter stated in a nutshell, they did not accept my proposal due to the copyright issues and an inability to allocate the resources necessary to put this plan into motion.

     What exactly this means isn't entirely clear.  I wasn't told to stop what I was doing, but I was obviously told that they were not going to pursue it.  If we look into it a little deeper (which obviously the Committee and I have done extensively following my receipt of this letter), it seems to suggest that now isn't a good time ... that they were truly impressed with the work, but that there are already many projects on their table that don't require cutting through plenty of legal red tape in order to push forward.  I can't say that this letter definitively says "no," nor does it indicate any actual lack of interest in the project.  For me, it has certainly become a question of how should I react in the wake of this letter.  Do I look at over 12 years of work in a project and call it a good run, or do I look at the hopeful side that maybe persuasion could still come their way?  Such persuasion, as we've found out the hard way, will never come from online support or petition efforts.

     And so I've been left pondering my direction with this project for the last 5 months or so.  During this time, I've considered many possibilities, which included everything from simply finishing the CT Novel to converting it into an independent story to writing something completely original, and any combination of these items is still on the table.  Having found it very difficult to concentrate on anything new with the tragic lack of closure on the CT Novel, I have at least reached the conclusion that I want to finish what was started.

     As I say that, I realize just how foolish it may sound.  However, finishing it can certainly do me no harm (aside from the cost of time, which admittedly is a costly commodity), and in the midst of doing so, I will be able to keep in contact with Square-Enix via regular written updates and the ultimate goal of obtaining a face-to-face meeting with their team.  A completed novel at least gives me something to hopefully work with down the road, whether that be the desired publication as the Chrono Trigger novel or modified to be something different.  By contrast, a novel left unfinished ensures that all of the work put into it up to this point goes to waste.  I will also be contemplating a series of my own that I one day hope to be able to entertain all of you with, along with the CT Novel.  Perhaps my continued correspondences with Square-Enix or additional future help from someone like a literary agent or publisher will finally see it through.

     Then there's good ol' CTSite.  As you can see, it has been trimmed of the support efforts which once contributed the dominant theme.  Instead, my focus will be simply on news updates regarding my progress on the novel, pertinent forum postings in which I may desire feedback, and multimedia content (including all fan submissions).  In short, I'm doing something which should have been done a long, LONG time ago: concentrating solely on the novel and not on support efforts.  The aim is to get this thing finished and then to pursue any means still possible to bring it into publication.  Whatever happens, I don't intend to let the work go to waste.

     Therefore, I fully declare as of this point forward that the project has two objectives on which it will be focused: finishing the projected two-novel Chrono Trigger series and maintaining productive contact with Square-Enix.  I will post as many updates on these endeavors as I feasibly can.

     Finally, in terms of site updates, this one is obviously quite significant.  You will find all of the support-centered pages removed and most other pages updated to reflect the CTNP's current direction.  There has been a slight edit to Chapter 2 of the Demo Chapter Package, thanks to empcrono's catch in this forum post.  I've added a little self-monitor above that I thought might be interesting to try.  It'll stay as long as it remains somewhat interesting.  As an added bonus, I've tossed in several new images to the Pictures Archives, including several high-res character portraits, item sprites, and PSX cut scene screenshots.  And last, but certainly not least, new Fan Art has been added from Magus Child and Danny Poloskei, bringing into the collection a chibi-style Magus illustration, a unique picture of Magus pondering over his father's grave, and two pictures of Crono and Frog painted using the Nintendo DS (with links to videos of how they were painted).

     So, I hope all of the loyal fans can take some pleasure in knowing that I'm still at it, accompanied by a couple of the same previous Committee (now solely the CTNP Editorial Team) editors that have been such a blessing and help to have at my side.  Please continue coming to this site and the forum, and don't hesitate to contact me anytime regarding thoughts, questions, concerns, or updates regarding the novel.  Thanks to everyone for hanging in there with me, and it's good to be back!

     Discuss in the Forum

     3/22/09 -- The Wait Continues
     Naturally, as discussions ensue with Square-Enix about the fate of this project as we know it, updates and activity are fairly sparse.  The main thing that everyone is looking for is that next big update, the answer to the question: will they say yes or no?  While that determination is being made, I've decided to start what will hopefully be an interesting discussion in the CTNP Forum, which basically focuses around one central question: Should the "unthinkable" happen, what do you think the CTNP should do next?  This is a project that has existed in some capacity now for over 12 years and has positioned itself as a regular, well-known part of the Chrono community.  It is, in fact, the longest standing project still maintaining an active status and following.  Therefore, I've decided that putting this question out there publically is an entirely appropriate thing to do, regardless of what happens in the end.  For this, please refer to two locations in the forum: one for general discussion and one for a poll (be sure to go to both).

     Discuss in the Forum
     Take the Poll

     1/12/09 -- Square-Enix Packets Sent!
     Finally, the presentation packets that I have referred to for over a year now have been shipped to the offices of Square-Enix in California and Japan.  In fact, by the time most people see this update, both packages will have already arrived.  The packets are in full representation of all that has been accomplished over the years in the CTNP, detailing every noteworthy aspect about this project and the many intricacies of the novel itself.  I personally toiled for many hours to assemble what I hope will bring light to a unique opportunity and a convincing case for this business endeavor.  The hopes, thoughts, and prayers of every fan out there during this time when Square makes their decision are certainly coveted!

     The packet itself contained a master presentation document, cover letter, packet list, copy of petitions to date, copy of beta reader survey forms, sample chapters 1-7, and reading companions for each included chapter, all put together in professional covers and nestled into a plastic document case.  After some review of these documents, I fully expect that representatives of Square-Enix will come to visit our site.  To those representatives and executives that stop in, thank you and welcome!  Please take your time with the packet and your decision.  I will patiently await your response.

     In the meantime, the project continues with business as usual.  Behind the scenes, future chapter preparation and current chapter editing continues as we endeavor to finalize the "first" book of this massive and amazing story.  A new poll has been added having to do with Frog's speech in the new Nintendo DS version of the game.  We have new Fan Art from MagusChild, both with themes featuring Magus and Zeal.  Enjoy!

     Discuss in the Forum

     11/26/08 -- Chrono Trigger DS Forum Log, Novel Progresses, and General Updates
     Though the site has been grossly under updated (my apologies), the project itself remains in full swing.  Behind the scenes, progress is being made in the editing of chapters, and the packet for Square-Enix will be completed and ready for finalization upon receipt of all remaining "Beta Reader" surveys.

     Our CTNP Forum continues to maintain activity from several regulars, and we are currently open to any fresh ideas for keeping up the interest of all who visit.  One topic of particular interest right now pertains to all of the differences between the original SNES/PSX Chrono Trigger and the new Nintendo DS release.  Please take a few moments to check out this topic to post any differences that you spot and also discuss ones already posted.  Click HERE to go there in a new window.

     As a natural result of the new CTDS release, many may be wondering if the Chrono Trigger Novel will reflect the many changes in dialogue, names, new scenes, and otherwise.  The answer, of course, isn't black and white.  While we are still gathering notes about all of the differences (at least two Committee members are already playing it), my sense so far is that some changes will be reflected while others will not.  Many changes to dialogue will probably be used, though the game's dialogue is always subject to modification to better fit the flow of the novel and accuracy with independent retranslations of the original Japanese release.  Familiarity with both versions will be kept as much as possible.  Other changes, such as the exclusion of the species designation "Mystic," will not occur in the novel.  All of this, of course, is subject to Square-Enix's final wishes down the road.

     Finally, a few general updates have been made to the site, mostly in terms of fan submissions.  We have new Fan Art and Fan Craft submissions from MagusChild and Danny Poloskei, so please be sure to check out new inclusions such as "A Night At Crono's House," "Crono Leaping into Battle," and a Janus fan art "trading card."

     As always, enjoy...and Happy Thanksgiving!

     Discuss in the Forum

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