Firefly Universe Online - The Firefly Infinite Roleplay MMORPG Experience

Firefly Universe Online is an MMORPG based on a hybrid of both the cancelled television series Firefly, which aired in 2002, and its subsequent motion picture release Serenity. Firefly Universe Online has been in development on and off since 2009, and was put into full production mid 2011.

What is an MMORPG?

MMORPG is a common gaming acronym for Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game. MMORPGs are a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world.

Players assume the role of a character and take control over many of that character's actions. MMORPGs are distinguished from single-player or small multiplayer RPGs by the number of players, and by the game's persistent world, which continues to exist and evolve while the player is offline and away from the game.

Who is making Firefly Universe Online?

DarkCryo Entertainment was formed in 2011 by a network of professional indie game developers worldwide. As such, DarkCryo Entertainment has no formal base of operations in the US, however the majority of our servers are located throughout Panama, China, and the Netherlands.

Is Firefly Universe Online a licensed title?

No, Firefly Universe Online is not affiliated with 20th Century Fox or Mutant Enemy Inc at this time. Until Firefly Universe Online receives official endorsement by parent copyright holders, we will proceed under fair use as a tribute to the fans, the beloved cast, and creator Joss Whedon. Regardless of licensing, Mr. Whedon reserves the right to maintain full creative control over storyline and character evolution. All website and game content is the property of DarkCryo Entertainment and its indie creators, while the Firefly brand itself is a trademark of 20th Century FOX and Mutant Enemy Inc.

Which factions will be in Firefly Universe Online?

Initially we had conceived three playable factions; Browncoats, Reavers, and the Alliance. This left a gap in the economic complexities in which the Firefly franchise operates, and so we began to conceive the Megacorp syndicate as a forth faction. Naturally the 'Verse can be expected to be populated with both Playable and NPC characters of these races.

What can you say about the different classes?

This is a tough one, and why that section of the website is still under development. We are working strenuously to dissect both the role of classes in an MMORPG, as well their role in the Firefly franchise as depicted on the TV series. Unfortunately they do not match up, and why this MMORPG must break new ground if it is to capture the feeling of Firefly. We have some great ideas and, once we iron out the specifics, we will update the factions section of the website with such characteristics as classes and professions.

What is the story of Firefly?

Firefly is an American space western television series created by writer and director Joss Whedon. The series is set in the year 2517, after the arrival of humans in a new star system, and follows the adventures of the renegade crew of Serenity, a "Firefly-class" spaceship.

The ensemble cast portrays the nine characters who live on Serenity. Whedon pitched the show as "nine people looking into the blackness of space and seeing nine different things". The show explores the lives of some people who fought on the losing side of a civil war, and others who now make a living on the outskirts of society, as part of the pioneer culture that exists on the fringes of their star system.

In addition, it is a future where the only two surviving superpowers, the United States and China, fused to form the central federal government, called the Alliance, resulting in the fusion of the two cultures as well. According to Whedon's vision, "nothing will change in the future: technology will advance, but we will still have the same political, moral, and ethical problems as today."

Will PvP be implemented in Firefly Universe Online?

While Firefly Universe Online is designed primarily for cooperative multiplayer, we will be building in support for competitive player-vs.-player gameplay as well. We're focusing on a balanced "circle of life" star system, and are being careful to avoid PvP features that can easily lead to griefing, such as the ability to go hostile at will.

What will Firefly Universe Online be rated?

Firefly Universe Online rating will be determined by the international Ratings Board. We do understand the hostile nature of the Reavers race, and are sensitive to the fact that their very nature defies 21st Century ethics. There is no easy way to do this. We have a ways to go yet content-wise, so its best not to speculate at this point.

Will players interact with any familiar faces or places in Firefly Universe Online?

Absolutely yes, what is Firefly without its 'Verse that fans have grown to adore. How these characters will fit into a butterfly-effect interactive PvE environment is currently being conceptualized. We will be showcasing which cast members are being implemented as Firefly Universe Online unfolds.

We are sensitive to the fact that Joss Whedon enjoys maintaining creative control over the evolution of the star cast, we will be coding reactive butterfly effects carefully so as to not disrupt his vision on canonical timelines.

As for places, yes and no. While we will make every effort to remain loyal to the canonical knowledgebase available to us, we ask that Firefly fans keep an open mind regarding such details as structure placement, terrain, fictional settlements and such that were not yet publicly introduced.

What will questing be like in Firefly Universe Online? Will it be similar to World of Warcraft?

No, the failure of most MMORPGs are that they are simply cookie-cutter gameplay mechanics. For the Firefly Universe, one that relys on tactics over grinding, intellect over gunplay, that would not be fitting with the atmosphere depicted in the Firefly series. Although we are still some time away from implementing questing mechanics, we can tell you that it will be exactly like the TV series in that no job goes smoothly. How a player can anticipate and adapt to any given situation will determine their success or failure of a quest.

Is there any information on what has been done story-wise, or is this building partially from the ground up?

Until now we've been focusing primarily on perfecting character controls, economics, balance of power, environments, and overall gameplay mechanics. We've held off on storyline evolution and A.I. until receiving word back from Mr. Whedon; it is after all, his tale to tell. Regardless, we have began collating input from Firefly fans worldwide with regard to storyline evolution. Browncoat fans are an incredible resource with outstanding fanfic ideas.

Is the game going to be more of an FPS style of game or click-and-cast type?

We have implemented a combination of controlling features for which gamers are already familiar, such as the standard WASD movement. We recognize that a 3rd point perspective is an RP necessity, the 1st point perspective allows for weapon-heavy gameplay, and the point-and-click interface for equipping and item usability.

We have therefore implemented a World of Warcraft style of movement/cam controls and perspective, along with its free-pointer ability to interact with the user interface buttons. However, a 'right-click-hold' soft-zooms the camera to an FPS crosshair.

When will there be detailed information or screenshots available?

We run a fairly tight skeleton crew here at DarkCryo, and as such we have to prioritize where to spend our very over-stretched time. On the other hand, we do take caution not to write into stone certain gameplay specifics that may or may not make it into the final release. We have just released a Trailer designed to showcase textures and models, terrain, worlds, characters, transportation, animation and FX that give a very accurate depiction of overall gameplay graphics.

On what engine will Firefly Universe Online be running?

Firefly Universe Online has tested several industry-leading game engines. Firefly fans deserve more than a cookie-cutter MMORPG, and we are confident that these represent the greatest of available technologies to best live up to that promise.

What are the minimum system requirements for Firefly Universe Online?

PC :
Windows XP SP3 x32
Pentium 4 2GHz
2GB RAM
2GB Free HD Space
NVidia GeForce FX or ATI Radeon 9500 128MB
Multi-button Mouse (Recommend Scroll-wheel)
Broadband Internet Connection
Audio Device
Keyboard

MAC:
OSX 10.5
Intel Processor
2GB RAM
2GB Free HD Space
Multi-button Mouse (Recommend Scroll-wheel)
Broadband Internet Connection
Audio Device
Keyboard

NOTE: Due to potential programming changes, the Minimum System Requirements for this game may change over time.

When will Firefly Universe Online be released?

The Sandbox release has been slated for December 26,2012. This is a soft release date, and is dependent upon meeting financial targets necessary to sustain development. We will likely release the game in stages, beginning with an Alpha Sandbox for fans to begin roleplaying and test game mechanics. We intend to keep it in Beta for as much time developing Firefly Universe Online as is necessary to ensure the game meets our own high expectations and those of Firefly fans.

Will the game be released in multiple countries and in what languages?

Initially we were aiming for an English only release, however due to the overwhelming international response, we will likely be expanding our efforts into all major languages. Firefly Universe Online will be available worldwide.

Will Firefly Universe Online be available on Windows and Mac simultaneously?

Firefly Universe Online will be released on both Mac and PC platform simultaneously worldwide as a standalone, however may also be available as an additional browser-client release if there is enough of a demand.

How much will Firefly Universe Online cost? Where can I buy this game?

The financial model of Firefly Universe Online will be determined in conjunction with 20th Century Fox and Mutant Enemy Inc, and will be made available closer to its release date. The game will be available for download only.