MMO Site recently picked up on a recent PlanetSide 2 interview with SOE boss John Smedley, who recently sat down for a chat with Chinese gaming site 17173.com to talk about the upcoming PlanetSide sequel.

The translation is a bit hit and miss but PlanetSide Universe has gotten some clarification from Smedley on some of the interview. Smedley confirmed in his statement to PlanetSide Universe that the game will utilize a free-to-play model of some form. The details of the model have not been finalized as of yet, but the story does state that it may not be the microtransaction style system that many people are used to. Smedley did confirm that the game will not be utilizing an auction house style system like the one Blizzard is using for Diablo III.

We aren't doing an auction house like Blizzard. They asked me what I thought of that move by Blizzard and I said I liked it and thought it would help with farmers and that we were doing it years ago with Station Exchange. It has nothing to do with PlanetSide 2 whatsoever. Ive said before the game will be some form of F2P but we aren't announcing anything specific yet.

Smedley also confirmed that SOE is targeting a late 2011 beta start date and an early 2012 launch but only if the game is ready. You can read Smedley’s full response at PlanetSide Universe and the Google Interview translation here.

Sources:

MMO Site

PlanetSide Universe

17173.com