It was only two weeks ago that Ewan Lamont, CEO of Legendary Games, made a proud boast that not only would HTML5 finally be taken seriously as a gaming platform, but that his upcoming MMO strategy game, Year 0, would also be the starting point of that revolution (hence the title). Now Lamont is back is back, announcing that the game will be arriving to Facebook in Open Beta on March 3rd, as well as through the Legendary Games portal.

"For too long developers and publishers have just made the assumption that Facebook games are for middle-aged women wanting to run farms and crush candy," Lamont says. "Facebook is a gaming platform just like any other; there is no reason a core game can’t work. If you are a fan of other strategy games such as XCOM, Total War, Advanced Wars and enjoy RPG’s and Sci-fi-themed games, Year 0 will definitely be the perfect match for you and your friends."

HTML5 will also allow the game to be played on any internet browser-equipped device, be it a supercomputer gaming PC or something simpler like a Kindle tablet. Legendary claims that Year 0 will be a very different experience compared to most social games, being designed as "deliberately dark, gritty, targeted at core gamers and highly competitive" as opposed to the "light, cute," and "impossible to lose" games most casual gamers enjoy.

The game will be set to include the building of one's own army by recruiting troops, helping friends out with an Ally feature, the use of strategy to control territories, construction of buildings and traps to defeat the enemy and enhance territories, the ability to scavenge for units and upgrades, and multiplayer combat against other "real people."

What do you think of Lamont's claims? Can a game be taken seriously on Facebook? Is HTML5 "the way?" Let us know in the comments below.

For more on the game, check out the Year 0 website, and to sign up for the Beta, check out the Year 0 account page.