[citation][nom]Kyuuketsuki[/nom]This is actually still up in the air, pending internal testing of whether or not cross-platform play is viable without negatively affecting the PC version, which is the flagship platform.Otherwise, thanks for the article Mr. Parish, and I'm greatly looking forward to PSO2.[/citation]Exactly, Sakai (the producer) said that the current plan was to have PC and Vita cross-platform play. They're testing the viability of this right now, it's all up in the air. If they determine that cross-platform play with Vita will hold the PC version back, they'll nix it.
Regarding concerns over the F2P model, Sega has said that they won't go the broken-cash-equipment route of many Korean F2P games. So the game should be fully playable for free. There are certainly nice things you will be able to buy, but anything you really need to play is included in the free version.