Following some confusion regarding a translated PlanetSide 2 interview with Chinese gaming site 17173.com, SOE President John Smedley responded to PlanetSide Universe to clarify some comments on the payment model, beta, crafting and more. Perhaps his most notworthy clarification is in regards to the game's free-to-play aspect:

"The game will be F2P. What form will it be? We're still working that out. But here's a hint - we like League of Legends a lot."

Smedley told us at SOE Fan Faire in July that the game would have a free component, but it's interesting to hear that they may be leaning toward the League of Legends model.

As for Smedley's other comments, he says the beta could be held late this year or early next year. He also confirms that there are no plans to put anything like Diablo III's real money auction house in PlanetSide 2. Regarding crafting, their long-term goal is to have players be able to make weapons, but that won’t be available at launch.