FirstPlay sounds like the UK version of Qore, is that correct?
I second that, it certainly is a way to hype their future recruits but not a way to announce anything. Final Fantasy VII is one of their most famous and acclaimed franchise, Cloud is one of their most emblematic character so they certainly use him for every marketing strategies without intending anything with the Final Fantasy VII franchise.
No, only solo, no multiplayer.
STALKER developers. From Ukraine.
No news but we certainly will hear more about it during GDC or E3, when Sony will announce their plans of premium online services (if they do so).
I think we should wait for at least one screenshot before worrying or not.
Well, 4A Games has been founded by former GSC Game World developers, so technically we can still say Metro 2033 has been developed by STALKER developers.