http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/44938 (http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/44938)
QuoteFirefly to Return in MMO Form
Chris Remo
Firely, the sci-fi television series created by Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon, has already seen itself adapted to the film medium with Serenity, but now it seems the property will make a much more dramatic transformation into the world of video games. According to Wired News, freeware MMO platform provider Multiverse has signed an agreement with Fox to create a massively multiplayer online roleplaying game based on the universe of the show. Wired describes the game as being "in the fashion of Star Wars Galaxies or Eve Online," which likely refers more to the game's sci-fi setting than anything else, given the huge differences between the two titles' gameplay. No developer has yet been revealed for the game; Multiverse only creates the MMO content platform on which the game will be based, and will contract out development to a separate studio. "We want to find someone who wants to do something unique and fun and interesting, not just a re-skin of World of Warcraft or Star Wars Galaxies," said Multiverse co-founder and executive producer Corey Bridges.
As is frequently the case with online games based on established properties, the Firefly MMO will not focus on the core characters of the show. "If you're doing science fiction, you have to really think it out and create an incredibly rich environment that is compelling in its own right, and worth exploring and going back to week after week. That's what Joss Whedon did with Firefly," said Bridges in regard to the challenges of creating an MMO. "This all springs from the genius that is Joss Whedon. It's rewarding beyond words to be able to hopefully be a footnote in the history of Firefly."
Multiverse is expected to make a formal announcement tomorrow. The company hopes to deliver a playable game to fans some time in 2008.
Down with the Alliance! ;D
Seriously, would be interesting, but might also be disappointing like the Matrix... Who wants to play an MMO if they never get to "be" the primary characters ::)
Also, can't be true if Wikipedia makes no mention of it (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly_%28TV_series%29#Other) ;)
I hope this is done well; if so, I'd definetly take a crack at it.
Sneak Preview (http://vger.homeip.net/images/space-invader.gif)
J/K :lol: Good for them, I hope the game is fun...
Quote from: Darren Dirt on December 07, 2006, 06:16:46 PM
Also, can't be true if Wikipedia makes no mention of it (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly_%28TV_series%29#Other) ;)
Yay, Wikipedia makes a mention of it; the truthiness level just doubled! ^_^
Quote
A Massively Multiplayer Online Game is in development, and is shceduled to be released in 2008.
80. Firefly Reborn as Online Universe (http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,72263-0.html?tw=wn_index_1). Wired.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-07.
"shceduled", eh? ;)
Im not gonna hold my breath. Seeing as how bad this movie did in theaters, id say its going to get a second rate treatment and probably not even release.
http://www.serenityrpg.com/index.htm interesting
Quote from: Shayne on December 08, 2006, 08:50:26 AM
Im not gonna hold my breath. Seeing as how bad this movie did in theaters, id say its going to get a second rate treatment and probably not even release.
badly marketed.
DVD sales were awesome tho, apparently.
Got sources for DVD sales numbers? I also don't think marketing was all that bad, i recall lots of commercials for it. I wasnt even aware that it was a movie based upon Firefly before
Such a shame, i was watching the TV series again last night. Wish i could get more of it... just not in MMO form.
I rewatched Firefly and Serentiy just a couple days ago. For having just watched it a year ago (or so), I really enjoyed it. (I tend to hate re[waching/doing] things).
Quote from: Tom on December 09, 2006, 04:58:13 PM
(I tend to hate re[waching/doing] things).
True dat, but the exceptions I have found for me, personally, seem to mainly include hour-long dramas with strong character development such as Millennium, Angel, Space: Above and Beyond, and of course Firefly.
Quote from: Shayne on December 09, 2006, 12:16:01 PM
Got sources for DVD sales numbers? I also don't think marketing was all that bad, i recall lots of commercials for it. I wasnt even aware that it was a movie based upon Firefly before
I meant inappropriate -- the audience they were shooting for was like fans of The Rock etc... not intelligent sci fi enthusiasts. From what I saw in the trailers/posters (although the first time I watched the trailer, with headphones and the volume cranked, it actually gave me goosebumps, some parts :) )
There are certain lines of dialogue which I think should have been included in the trailer, to suggest more of the *theme*, rather than the "let's be bad guys... no more running..." type of lines which make it seem like non stop violence and action.
re. source for numbers: BoxOfficeMojo shows it approx. broke even for theatrical sales. For DVD sales, I remember watching the Amazon Top 10 list the first 3 weeks of release, it was #1 a few times and stayed up there for quite a while. I wish I knew the DVD-sales equivalent of Mojo, though.
DVD sales figures are a closely guarded secret so we may never know. Personally I think the movie trailer worked for the movie (it made me, a Firefly non-liker a bit curious) what I think didn't work for the movie were the fanboys actually. I mean, when any trailer comes out people start talking about the movie, try talking absently about Firefly within earshot of a fan, they'll tell you a) It was a TV show cancelled by Fox b) it's by "that guy who did Buffy". For the non-nerd moviegoer you've been told two things, it wasn't good enough for TV and you have no idea what Buffy is (or if you do, you probably remember that terrible movie in the 90s). A person like that might be turned off by it already, or if doing some web searches might confirm a few things they saw in the field, nerdy people geeking out about a show that's been off the air for a while. Now personally this doesn't bother me, I'm a card-carrying nerd who collects comics, anime and has seen every episode of every Star Trek ever, but I think to the average moviegoer whose likelihood of seeing a space borne action-adventure is low to begin with, Firefly the movie is prohibitive at best because of its legacy. I mean, how many people here would see a Farscape movie if they made one?
P.S. DD, I would argue vociferously that Firefly (much like Star Wars) has virtually no science in it and should be classified as an action-adventure or just fantasy-adventure.
P.P.S. I think I might download it (Firefly) and attempt watching again, just to see if it still rubs me the wrong way.
Quote from: Mr. Analog on December 10, 2006, 01:31:24 PM
Personally I think the movie trailer worked for the movie (it made me, a Firefly non-liker a bit curious) what I think didn't work for the movie were the fanboys actually. I mean, when any trailer comes out people start talking about the movie, try talking absently about Firefly within earshot of a fan, they'll tell you a) It was a TV show cancelled by Fox b) it's by "that guy who did Buffy". For the non-nerd moviegoer you've been told two things, it wasn't good enough for TV and you have no idea what Buffy is (or if you do, you probably remember that terrible movie in the 90s). A person like that might be turned off by it already, or if doing some web searches might confirm a few things they saw in the field, nerdy people geeking out about a show that's been off the air for a while. Now personally this doesn't bother me, I'm a card-carrying nerd who collects comics, anime and has seen every episode of every Star Trek ever, but I think to the average moviegoer whose likelihood of seeing a space borne action-adventure is low to begin with, Firefly the movie is prohibitive at best because of its legacy. I mean, how many people here would see a Farscape movie if they made one?
Excellent points. I often forget how niche-like a lot of our favorite interests are. I'm sure a "Survivor: The Movie!" would appeal to a far larger audience ;)
The one noteable positive I thought was how a lot of the early previewers were describing it as (re-)capturing the spirit of the original Star Wars. Like "our generation's space opera/saga". And in my first theatrical viewing, that's kinda how I felt. It stood on its own, IMHO, rather than just being a "next episode in the series" like a Farscape film adaptation would probably be. ;D
Quote from: Mr. Analog on December 10, 2006, 01:31:24 PM
P.S. DD, I would argue vociferously that Firefly (much like Star Wars) has virtually no science in it and should be classified as an action-adventure or just fantasy-adventure.
IMHO, there's lots of "science" (and little-to-none "fantasy") in the Firefly universe... After all, it's more like a mix of "wild west" independent spirit combined with current-and-future technology, medicine, culture, etc.
Some of the "science" is background info that isn't integral to the average story, like the history of the Alliance, terra-forming, medical advances, electronic gadgetry. and of course all them fancy schmancy rocket ships :) But on occasion the science is central, like in the opening "escape" sequence being played back by The Operative, in the Serenity film.
I'm curious, my friend, which aspects are to you "fantasy"?
I think what turned Mr. A off was that the show was too much cowboy and too little space man in most of the episodes he saw.
I can think of a few things they did that where interesting stuff scifi wise.
1. They put out fires on the ship by decompressing a large section.
2. The ship is a cargo ship and they improvise a weapon. (I still find that one funny, I won't say more for those that haven't seen it)
3. In the TV series space scenes are always devoid of effect sounds. They screwed that up in the movie from what I remember.
I gotta thank Ustauk for hooking me up with is "Complete Series". I have always been a rather large fan of SciFi films (my guilty pleasure movie is "Red Planet"). Had some interesting ideas for sure, but overall I think I just enjoyed the relative fluffiness of it. Firefly never took itself seriously (maybe the last episode on the DVDs was a changing path) it kept light and didn't load up on the useless and totally fictional space terminology.
***SPOILER***
The movie to me felt like the perfect ending to the series, they killed off a couple big players and answered one of the biggest questions (though the priest is still a mystery). I couldnt have really asked for more.
Quote from: Shayne on December 11, 2006, 08:47:37 AM
I gotta thank Ustauk for hooking me up with is "Complete Series".
I have always been a rather large fan of SciFi films (my guilty pleasure movie is "Red Planet").
Firefly never took itself seriously (maybe the last episode on the DVDs was a changing path) it kept light and didn't load up on the useless and totally fictional space terminology.
The movie to me answered one of the biggest questions (though the priest is still a mystery).
Yeah, he was also my "dealer" and after watching the 2-hour pilot I decided to buy the series legit. ;D
I also enjoyed RP, as it had an appearance of lame monster-on-Mars flicks, but the story was deeper than expected and concluded in a pleasantly surprising way. I also felt "creeped out" a few times, which was a nice alternative to being bored and just looking at the pretty mountain landscape.
FF always had tongue firmly in cheek, except for a couple of dark/serious/slowpaced episodes (including the final) but methinks that's a Whedon trademark, innit? :)
re. the questions answered/stillunanswered: believe it or not, the IMDB threads (especially for the film (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379786/board/threads/), but also for the TV series (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303461/board/threads/)) contain many an intelligent discussion re. Book, The Operative, and Hands Of Blue (as well as "what would likely happen after the events of the film..."). Some pure speculation, some theories based on extra "canon" material like the post-film books and the in-between comic series, and some based on what Joss and others have directly said or let slip in interviews. Pleasantly surprising, contrary to most IMDB discussions a majority of these have a very high signal:noise ratio. :o ;D
Quote from: Lazybones on December 11, 2006, 08:42:32 AM
3. In the TV series space scenes are always devoid of effect sounds. They screwed that up in the movie from what I remember.
The only "space battle" sounds were in upper-atmo ... not technology in space :)
Quote from: Darren Dirt on December 11, 2006, 09:40:15 AM
The only "space battle" sounds were in upper-atmo ... not technology in space :)
I swore they added a engine hum and swoosh sounds ala trek in the movie as well? I remember being disturbed by the space scenes because of the difference from the TV show... Maybe I am wrong but I would have to look at the movie again to know for sure.
re. game version(s) -- MMO and otherwise...
Some interesting info. and opinions in a new thread on IMDB (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303461/board/nest/60640165).
by llllllll 4 days ago (Thu Dec 7 2006 00:48:10 )
I'm playing the video game called "Gun" right now, its kinda off like Grand Theft Auto but a Western version. Now I was thinking how easy it would be to throw in spaceships, reavers, and newer weapons, and you would have a hell of a Firefly typed video game. I'm so mad they haven't put one out yet. Anyone else play "Gun" and feel the same?
by Squash_J 4 days ago (Thu Dec 7 2006 01:25:47 ) Ignore this User | Report Abuse
yeah, change the Apache skins to Reavers, the revolvers to... future revolvers, the train to a hover train, and you have the second episode... ^_^
by devsmith 1 day ago (Sat Dec 9 2006 15:00:23 )
I read on the Scifi channel website under there scifiwire that someone is trying to develop a Firefly video game. It would be a MMORPG.
A Massive Multiplay online role playing game like World of Warcraft.
I could see it working think about all the character types you may have seen over the series, traders, mercenaries, pirates. Imagine being able to chose to agents of the Alliance or to be a member of the Reavers.
by diacritical 3 hours ago (Mon Dec 11 2006 05:47:25 )
From this morning's "Variety (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117955451.html?categoryid=1009&cs=1)"
"Firefly" has been licensed by 20th Century Fox TV to vidgame technology developer Multiverse, which will turn the property into a multiplayer online game.
Company is building technology that lets developers build a variety of different online worlds that interconnect through one portal. It's hoping that "Firefly," which has a devout cult aud that crosses over heavily with gamers, will not only be successful on its own but draw attention to other properties using the same technology.
Which reminds me, I still have your Firefly boxset Ustauk, remind me or just grab it off my shelve next heroscape game.
Im probably going to by a copy anyways, its only $25. Probably get the movie in HDDVD though, i seen it at futreshop once... or was that on amazon?
Quote from: TheDruid on December 11, 2006, 10:00:37 AM
Im probably going to by a copy anyways, its only $25. Probably get the movie in HDDVD though, i seen it at futreshop once... or was that on amazon?
"This (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0379786/trivia) is the first film to be released by Universal on HD-DVD (High Definition DVD)." ( $26.99 at Future Schlock (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FSM2116034&catid=24094) )
Not sure if the series has been released on HD, tho. I did a search for "Firefly" on Amazon and there's only the full/widescreen DVDs. Plus a ton of new related info, including a new Sept.2006 release "Official Companion Vol. 1", and Done The Impossible: The Fans' Tale of Firefly & Serenity (http://www.amazon.com/Done-Impossible-Fans-Firefly-Serenity/dp/B000IJFJDG) (with apparently "More special features than Fox's Firefly DVD and Universal's Serenity DVD combined" :o )
Info. on the MMO folks who are making this (possible) rez happen...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiverse_Network
http://www.multiverse.net/
I thought about picking it up (Serenity) in HD-DVD as well, however I already own it in SD and I really don't feel the desire to rebuy what I have already purchased.
Quote from: Darren Dirt on December 08, 2006, 08:23:02 AM
Yay, Wikipedia makes a mention of it; the truthiness level just doubled! ^_^
Quote
A Massively Multiplayer Online Game is in development, and is shceduled to be released in 2008.
80. Firefly Reborn as Online Universe (http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,72263-0.html?tw=wn_index_1). Wired.com. Retrieved on 2006-12-07.
Firefly has become the Star Trek of 21st-century sci-fi fandom: a show that seemed to remake the genre even as it stayed faithful to the conventions of "hard" science fiction, like engine room problems and menacing hordes lurking on the edge of known space.
What made the show special was the wry, often self-deprecating humor of its characters, from the captain with the checkered past to the unwittingly sexy engineer, the dull hunk of a mercenary with a girl's name, and the mysterious young woman passenger with special gifts.
The online version will move away from those central characters -- after all, there's only one Mal Reynolds. In an MMORPG, "everybody has to have their own story," says Multiverse co-founder and executive producer Corey Bridges.
"Television series can be really good properties to turn into MMOs, because when you make a TV series, not only do you need great characters, but you need to create a full, rich, compelling place," Bridges says. "If you're doing science fiction, you have to really think it out and create an incredibly rich environment that is compelling in its own right, and worth exploring and going back to week after week. That's what Joss Whedon did with Firefly."
Founded by several early Netscape employees, Multiverse hopes to do for virtual worlds what Netscape did for web pages: provide a universal browser that lets users access any world built on the Multiverse platform using the same client software.
Already, some 7,000 development teams have registered for the Multiverse beta, according to Bridges, and more than 150 are making MMOs and non-game virtual worlds on a full-time basis. The tools are provided for free, with Multiverse taking a cut of revenue only if developers charge for their games, or for virtual items available within their worlds.satisfying the show's committed fans will not be easy. Online communities like FireflyFans.net, the show's premier fan site, have generated an endless stream of fan fiction, art, blogs, pod casts, meet-ups and even a
fan-produced documentary, Done the Impossible, which briefly broke into the top 1,000 in DVD sales on Amazon.com.
-from Wired News article, Firefly Reborn as Online Universe (http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,72263-0.html?tw=wn_index_1)
Lovely, so basically its a framework to make MMORPGs. My hopes for this MMORPG just fell to about 0.5/10
Quote from: Shayne on December 11, 2006, 11:47:39 AM
Lovely, so basically its a framework to make MMORPGs. My hopes for this MMORPG just fell to about 0.5/10
Question is, do you start in a small down and have to kill rats at the towns edge for an hour to make it to lvl 2.
Also can you play as the companion class, and if so how do you lvl in that class. ;) ;)
Imagine what "special moves" that class would have ;)
For anyone who really sees themselves as a Browncoat (or at least has watched the episodes enough times to quote long passages of dialogue including Sino-swears) here's a way for you to enjoy some moments of self-congratulation on your knowledge...
a frightfully long IMDB thread, "The Big Damn Quiz" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303461/board/nest/47569434) (ain't we just? ;D )
Possible Spoilers, of course.
Quote from: Darren Dirt on December 11, 2006, 04:30:10 PMsees themselves as a Browncoat
As a "trekkie" = star trek nerd, does "browncoat" = firefly nerd?
Quote from: Shayne on December 11, 2006, 05:31:53 PM
Quote from: Darren Dirt on December 11, 2006, 04:30:10 PMsees themselves as a Browncoat
As a "trekkie" = star trek nerd, does "browncoat" = firefly nerd?
Basically, yes.
Except Browncoats (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Browncoats) also have an independent spirit, and have "done the impossible, and that's makes us mighty. (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Firefly)" ;D
I guess I could have just wiki'd it.
QuoteMany comparisons have been made between Browncoats and Trekkies. Both television shows were canceled and subsequently turned into movies due to strong fan bases...
Can't we just enjoy the show and the entertainment it provides without becoming obsessive?
Quote from: Shayne on December 12, 2006, 11:33:52 AMCan't we just enjoy the show and the entertainment it provides without becoming obsessive?
Yes, but said people would not be fans, per se.
I see. So what would a person be who enjoyed the show but can't remember all the characters names?
You'd be me. (Think about that. Be frightened. Very Frightened.)
Quote from: Tom on December 12, 2006, 11:56:56 AMYou'd be me. (Think about that. Be frightened. Very Frightened.)
Nah, I can talk to girls both real and imaginary D&D ones ;)
Quote from: Shayne on December 12, 2006, 11:50:14 AM
I see. So what would a person be who enjoyed the show but can't remember all the characters names?
That person would belong to the group that simply likes the show, an admirer. Being a "Fan" implies devotion.
Quote from: Shayne on December 12, 2006, 11:58:00 AM
Quote from: Tom on December 12, 2006, 11:56:56 AMYou'd be me. (Think about that. Be frightened. Very Frightened.)
Nah, I can talk to girls both real and imaginary D&D ones ;)
I think that was uncalled for.
Quote from: Mr. Analog on December 12, 2006, 12:06:52 PMI think that was uncalled for.
Probably, but I was hoping for a legit answer. the one you posted above seems rather accurate.
Quote from: Shayne on December 12, 2006, 12:12:26 PM
Quote from: Mr. Analog on December 12, 2006, 12:06:52 PMI think that was uncalled for.
Probably, but I was hoping for a legit answer. the one you posted above seems rather accurate.
I can only assume you mean my reply about whether or not you qualify as a fan of Firefly.
If you look "fan" up in the dictionary, which I have just done, you will find that it means the following:
"Fan
- noun a person who has a
strong interest in or admiration for a particular sport, art form, or famous person."*
(Source Ask Oxford.com (http://www.askoxford.com/concise_oed/fan_2?view=uk))
*Emphasis mine.
I take this to mean that someone who puts on the "Spock" ears or watches every episode of
House is a
Star Trek or
House fan. Someone who saw
Star Wars once and enjoyed it is merely a moviegoer.
Do you have a
strong interest in
Firefly?
Of course, an extreme FFF is what "Captain Reynolds" accidentally termed a "flan (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Firefly#Quotes_about_Firefly_and_Serenity)" :)
Quote from: Darren Dirt on December 12, 2006, 02:23:44 PM
Of course, an extreme FFF is what "Captain Reynolds" accidentally termed a "flan (http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Firefly#Quotes_about_Firefly_and_Serenity)" :)
ROFL, that's awesome!
Yup, Nathan's still got that good ol' wry Edmonchuk sense of humour ;D
I can't tell you all the characters names, but once I get going I'll remember all the plot nuances from each episode.. I do that a lot with ST:TNG, somone will mention an episode, and it'll all come rushing back, and its as if I just saw it.
I'm a fan. Not a fanatic ;)
I almost picked up the DVDs for Firefly and Serenity while I was at HMV, but I think I put them on my Christmas list for people.