Firefly Online is a social role playing game (RPG) based on Firefly, Joss Whedon’s cult-hit television series. Firefly Online (FFO) is currently in development for iOS and Android, and may expand to include additional platforms.

In Firefly Online, players assume the role of a ship captain as they hire a crew and seek out adventures, all the while trading with and competing against the millions of other players to try to survive in the Verse: find a crew, find a job, keep flying.

FFO provides a variety of gameplay activities and systems so that players can fully experience life in the Verse.

• Assume the role of a ship captain - create a crew and customize a ship
• Aim to misbehave in space and planet-side adventures
• Cross-platform player experience across devices (pick-up and play from anywhere)
• Unique social features connecting Firefly fans
• Create a shiny ship and explore the Verse

I have to say, I've got mixed feelings about this. Guess we'll just have to see how it all turns out.

Mobile only... hrmm... probably to keep production costs down. Bummer, I was hoping one day we'd see a real Firefly MMO.

Welp, now I see why Fox has stubbornly held onto the rights. They figure they can milk the fanbase for mobile microtransactions.

The unfortunate part is, a real Firefly MMO missed its window, for me. Because it's not going to compete with Star Citizen unless something goes horribly awry.

The thought of a Firefly online game is undeniably appealing: who wouldn't want to man a ship and fight across Joss Whedon's rich universe, meeting Browncoats and fighting off Blue Sun? Even Gears of War creator Cliff Bleszinski drools at the thought of an action/role-playing game based on the cult classic sci-fi series.

This is not that game. This is, to quote Fox's press release, "a multi-user, social online role-playing game that will initially be available for smartphones and tablets, including those based on iOS and Android operating systems."

That sound you just heard was Firefly fans everywhere throwing up a little bit.

Firefly Online is being developed by Spark Plug Games, the studio responsible for a number of mobile games like Dairy Queen Tycoon and Plight of the Zombie. And hey, maybe they'll make a great game. But the red flags—a trailer with no gameplay; an online RPG for smartphones and tablets; the words "social online role-playing game"—are way too troubling for my tastes.

The game will be out next year, and you can sign up here. Here's hoping it's not as soul-crushing as it seems.

Blech. Done with MMOs.