SMN won't happen. Avatars will be something like FFXIII eidolons...but instead of charging a gauge you will be required an item to summon it.

It will be the "ultimate damage option". IMO it's a tremendous flawed concept...i do would rather having SMN as class/job.

Another reference of how it will be is the Totema System from FFTA...there you have the avatars for SMN but have a major entity that can be summoned only once named totema (racial avatar), that can destroy everything.

IMO, if this was the plan then we should have SMN as they are and use this flawed summon system they are planing for Twelve Deities summoning...this would fit their e-peen urge (seems like it's what is motivating Yoshida right now...if it's not e-peen then it doesn't fit 2.0) and still allow players to have a SMN job like FFXI one (which i loved btw...always prefered having avatars as pet instead os strong spells).