Smed's Blog has an update from Sony Online Entertainment president John Smedley on what's up with Planetside Next, their upcoming shooter sequel (thanks Planetside Universe). Word is beta testing will be getting underway soon: "In other news - early next year we will have announcements about Planetside Next followed by a beta. I can say this - it's coming along awesome. I can also say that the first beta testers are going to be current Planetside subscribers. I've gotten a lot of email from current players offering to help test the game and we're going to take them up on it."