With a series of announcements over the weekend that have caused some to declare the whole thing a hoax, DarkCryo, the purported team behind FUO the MMORPG formerly known as Firefly Universe Online, has claimed to be forging on with their hopeful fan-service title (previously based on) now supposedly "inspired by" Joss Whedon's ill-fated, but cult-celebrated Firefly TV series (thanks VG247).

The project popped up on Facebook back in April 2011 after Multiverse --a studio that was working on an officially licensed Firefly MMO-- closed down, with a promise to "proceed with DMCA immunity as a tribute to the fans, to the beloved cast, and to Joss Wedon.", and a newly re-launched website is now counting down to the launch of a Kickstarter project on January 20th 2013.

Given the enigmatic history of the development team, and the rabid passion of Firefly fans that is ripe for exploiting, it's understandable why some have called shenanigans on the whole thing; particularly as the project now supposedly has the endorsement of The Yes Men, an activist duo known for impersonations and elaborate hoaxes.

Frankly however, even if it is for realsies, the design work and screenshots offered aren't terribly promising. Nevertheless, we'll probably know more on January 20th (Jan 21 this side of the date line).