Just now found out about this thread, so here’s my two cents from over on Reddit (along with a response from a moderator):



" 6 points 17 hours ago

I did research into the whole publisher, developer, IP holder etc debacle that was going on as the deciding factor on the rebrand/name change decision. Basically it boils down to this: Nintendo was the publisher. Shigesato Itoi is the intellectual property holder. For Nintendo to go after the devs of Mother 4 they would need the permission of the IP holder, Itoi, and frankly, that’s not gonna happen. If IT WERE GOING TO HAPPEN, it already would have. The Chrono Trigger™®© (lol) remake got shut down super early into its developement, with, lets face it, MUCH less hype than Mother 4 has gotten. There’s no way the peeps at Nintendo didnt know about this project already. AGAIN, I STRESS THIS POINT: THEY NEED THE GO AHEAD FROM ITOI TO PURSUE LEGAL ACTION. If it hadn’t already happened (which it hasn’t), it’s not gonna happen. Man, I am so bummed about the devs decision on this. It’s not owed to us obviously, but can we get some transparency on why the decision to shift design direction really happened? Or was it REALLY because of fear of legal action from Nintendo? That aside, I’m learning Japanese. If I contacted Itoi directly (it’s not as hard as you might think) and got approval of the project, would you continue the project as it began? As a true fan game worthy of the Mother title? Anyway, that’s my 2 cents. Can’t wait for more updates (and perhaps a response to this comment).

P.S. I’m dead serious about contacting Itoi about the continuation of this title with dev approval btw. The game deserves to be released after all the hard work put into it.

[–]XeniKobalt 6 points 12 hours ago

Chrono Trigger is owned by Square Enix, who are notorious for being stingy with their IPs, even in legal dealings. I’d even say they could be worse than Nintendo, so it’s no surprise that anything violating their copyright would be on their radar. That or the remake devs got really unlucky, haha.

I’ve noticed a trend where Nintendo often DMCAs publicly released projects over ones in development, as they usually only garner a large amount of attention after they are, or about to be released. However, that’s not constant with Nintendo’s attorneys, and I can imagine anybody could freely contact the right parties and bring the Mother 4 project down if they really felt like it.

To me, the rebranding is like a signature of the team’s dedication to their project up to this point. After this long, they won’t risk losing what precious work has gone into it, even if it means ditching the name that they took such an inspiration from. It means that they believe in their work, and they don’t need to ride off the coattail of somebody else’s success to make a name for themselves. They’re playing it safe to make sure this game gets done right.

I can see where things from your perspective, though, and it would be really nice if Itoi would simply allow the project to continue without any concern of infringement. I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to at least try to get a hold of somebody.

[–]pixelkatplayz 3 points 10 hours ago*



Well, by the looks of the MOTHER 4 website, it SEEMED that the game was JUST ABOUT TO DROP, ANY MOMENT, since …. around 2 years ago. Previews, system specs, a well polished website, a mailing list, heck, even an estimated release date are ALL there. I stand by the line of reasoning that if they WERE going to do something, they already would have. Aside from that, the games that they shut down were MAJOR IPs of Nintendo with games in ACTIVE developement: Pokemon, Metroid, Super friggin MARIO!! (You know they’ve probably got games lined up for the next 20 years for all of those! Except maybe Metroid, that scene has been kinda quiet.) Shoot, Squaresoft™©® (more like SquareHARD™ when it comes to shutting -- down with the quickness, lol) may even have something up their sleeve with a Chrono Trigger remake.. But, theoretically, even if they didn’t, there are too many ACTIVE minds behind those titles still working on NEW stuff. (Akira Toriyama on the Dragon Quest series to name a major one.) Anyway, the point being those games getting fan releases are in a whole separate league from the Mother series, who’s IP holder, in no uncertain or minced words, stated he would not make anything else related to the game, ever again, ever. There are absolutely 0 plans for the active development of another Mother… (…Brother, lol). Most we’ll ever see is maybe a cameo or two, and most likely only in the next SSB…

HOWEVER: I get it. The fear of having legal action taken against you, when you are a small time, small town nobody can be quite nerve-wracking. So it really comes down to a point we agree on, to ease any and all fears of legal action: Reaching out to Itoi for the go ahead. He might even say がんばっておいで！ “Ganbatte oide!” (This expression is often used by parents to children or teachers to students). Or, Good luck! You can do it! Betchu anything he’d be all for it, especially after seeing how finely crafted it is. As a perfectionist myself, and putting myself in Itoi’s shoes (having something so meticulously crafted in honor and homage to something I’d worked so hard on), I can only imagine the delight this project would bring him.

Either way, whether or not they decide to abandon the Mother title, and the most adorable and beloved Mr. Saturns, some very groovy tunes, and a funky rhythm enhanced battle system: Well, “Godspeed, good Emperors!” is all I’ve got to say to that. May the PSI (or whatever the rename of that one will be) be with you.

P.s. I’m still serious about contacting Itoi. I’ll do it! Don’t try to stop me. Unless the devs are dead-set on the re-branding for other reasons, then try to stop me. I won’t do it! He has a website he’s actively updated(EVERY DAY, WOW! HOLY AIOLI!) since 1990? (something around there, basically since the beginning of the boom of the internet), so I’d wager a bet that getting in touch with him could be as simple as going through that website.

P.s.s. I just now ©® “SquareHARD™” so don’t steal that -- yo, lol.