PSO2 is free to download and play!

Sega shared final details today on Phantasy Star Online 2's pricing scheme, and also revealed that the game, or a version of it at least, will be coming to a third platform.

The big change from past PSO games as far as pricing goes is that PSO2 will be free-to download and play. It will use an item transaction system, meaning you'll need to pay for some items.

PC and Vita owners won't have the game all to themselves. Sega announced a smartphone version, which will be released on iOS and Android.

The smartphone version will be different from the PC and Vita version. The PC and Vita versions offer cross platform play. The smartphone version will just share data with the two versions

The smartphone version, and the relationship with the PC and Vita version.

Sega also says that the smartphone version will offer simpler character creation, and a simpler control experience, complete with social game elements. Sega says to expect a more "personal" and "simple" experience compared to the other two versions.

The PC version of PSO2 will be arriving first (as previously promised), with service planned to begin in early summer. The smartphone version will come next, in Winter 2012. The Vita version is due in Spring 2013.

The Phantasy Star Online 2 schedule.

Sega will hold the game's promised closed beta test in late April. This test will reach a scale of 100,000, and will allow for 24 hour play (when there's no maintenance, of course). Players will also get to sample story elements from the game.

Characters and other elements from the PSO2 story. Taken from a trailer that was shown during today's media briefing.