Konami has confirmed it will release a "free" download title for Vita coinciding with the console's Japanese launch on December 17.
AR Combat Digi Q: Friend Tank Battalion, an augmented reality tank battle game, will be free to download to all Vita owners. Sound too good to be true? That's because it is.
The free version will essentially be little more than a demo - you get five of a possible 40 levels and will need to cough up for the rest if you like what you see.
Konami will charge 500 Yen (£4) for stages six to 30 (a reduced price that will rise to 800 Yen (£6.50) from January 16). Levels 31 to 35 and 36 to 40 will come as two separate packs each costing a further 200 Yen (£1.60). So the full game, if bought at full price, will end up costing 1200 Yen (about £10).
So it's not free then.It does, however, demonstrate the 'freemium' model commonly used in the iOS App Store, which has gamers paying for specific content after an initial free download. PlayStation Network games, it seems, are following suit.
There's no word of a US/UK release for Digi Q.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...unch-in-japan/