[uLTraCarL-]

Online play will more than likely cost money. They did it for EP1, 2 and 3 and Blue Burst so why won't they do it now?

as taken from PSO-World

1.8: Will there be a fee to play online?
A: Yes, you will have to pay to play online. For the Japanese version, you will need to create a Sega Link account. If you register your account by the end of January, you will receive an in-game item and be able to download an exclusive screensaver. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to win a Netcash card.

If you wish to register a Sega Link account through the Japanese site, for Japanese PSU, you are required to have a PC that is capable of inputting Japanese, in order to complete the registration. A full guide for the procedure, can be found here, on PSO-World.

PSU will cost 1260 yen (8.94 EU/ 10.53 USD) for your first 30 days online. After that, it will cost 1050 yen (7.45 EU/8.78 USD) to renew your account each month, if you use the automatic renewal service.

The term '30 days' refers to an available window of game time, rather than actual playtime. By paying for '30 days' you are essentially activating your online account for 30 real-time days. If you only login to your account for one hour during that period, that's your loss!

Price plans for the USA/EU releases of PSU have not been announced, or, if it'll even cost the rest of the world to play online. So watch this space.