Has this game always been in the Android universe, or is FFG putting it in that verse like they did Dungeonquest into Terrinoth?

I have not heard of Netrunner prior to this btw. 

GrumpyBatman said:

Original was made in 96 and based on Cyberpunk 2020. They bought the game mechanics from WOTC and moved the setting to Android. 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netrunner

 And you can read more about the original game, meaning some lore and fictions on the link under my signature.

I am guite familiar with Cyperpunk 2020, how Android world differ from it. The style and setting I mean. For me the "feel" or style is very important. And cyperpunk is all about the style :-)

 I had no inkling it was around clear back in '96. I'll look more into it. 

 Well, Android has a few extra items established in it's setting: Psionics, manufactured beings (hence the "Android" setting name), a war for lunar independence, and the "Beanstalk" space elevator that connects the moon with LA (essentially).

Janus said:

How does the moon's orbit avoid tearing the Beanstalk apart? I've always been curious about that.

I think that the Beanstalk ends at Starport Kaguya, which is a space-station. From there it is much easier to travel to the moon, than when you first have to overcome earths gravity with rockets.

 I am not familiar with the Android setting but I think the Beanstalk is a space elevator: javascript:void(0);/*1338230316498*/

They are pretty prominent in the 2300AD setting, in which they are also called beanstalks.