Free to play games can come in a number of different forms. Some of them simply offer you optional micro-transactions for cosmetic items, and allow you to play the game unfettered. Some F2P titles, which I refer to as "pay to win", allow players to buy non-cosmetic enhancements that significantly boost their abilities, sometimes beyond the confines of the game.

Others, which are arguably the worst kind, are "pay to play": Mobile Suit Gundam: Battle Operation, releasing in Japan for the PS3, is one of those games. Every 24 hours, you can play 12 missions -- after that, you have to pay money to play more, or just wait until your units recharge (according to Siliconera, the cheapest package is 27 units for 1,850 yen, which is roughly a third of the cost of a US retail game). The game also incorporates some pay to win elements, allowing you to unlock every suit, weapon, and part for a price.

Funnily enough, Siliconera is reporting that characters in the game will send you messages begging you to rescue/assist them -- enticing you to pay to come back and play -- a tactic many MMOs have been using for years. Come June 28th if you have a Japanese PSN account, definitely give it a try. On paper it sounds rough, but if you have the mental fortitude to limit yourself below the daily allotted mission count, it could end up being pretty awesome -- just don't get addicted.

Namco Bandai’s PSN Gundam Game Is Limited To 12 Free Plays A Day [Siliconera]

Mobile Suit Gundam: Battle Operation Timeline

Legacy Comments (will be imported soon)

pocky

fap mode engaged

PhilKenSebben

Making a Japanese account.

AzureAlain

what @PhilK3nS3bb3n said ^

flintmech

Already have a Japanese account. Time to dust it off!

GUNDAM, ITTE KIMASU!

salamagogo

Ill-see-you-shiver-with-antici.......................................................................pation

Char Aznable

I'm contractually obligated to comment on this post.

Lowgrin

Between all the gundam games I'm currently playing (SDGO, Extreme VS, and Battle Destiny), I'll be ok with just playing afew missions aday.

Raby

So is it free other then that? If so thats awsome!

If not just insert my usual tirade of anger and acusations.

I was totally trying today but I stopped by the article about Trendy first :(

flintmech

Almost forgot:

Occams electric toothbrush

Hair.

Chris Carter

I forgot to link my Japanese PSN account creation guide, so everyone can download and try this.

Lowgrin

[img]http://www.google.ca/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1280&bih=827&tbm=isch&tbnid=0DmKTb-wl9lzHM:&imgrefurl=http://www.funnyjunk.com/funny_pictures/3389160/Fry/&docid=9Xj3mcjNrWdmSM&imgurl=http://static.fjcdn.com/comments/This%252Bwallet%252Bof%252Bmine%252Bis%252Bfilled%252Bwith%252Ban%252Bawesome%252Bpower%252B_7ad84fc970513f6bd25466b3106569bd.jpg&w=300&h=107&ei=q3bbT9bQHOTq2QW-v5mMBg&zoom=1[img]

Toge77

Whoa! Thanks Chris Carter for this info and for your Japanese psn account creation guide. Love myself some Gundam action.

PrinceHeir

thanks Chris for the japanese PSN guide.

been meaning to make one for awhile :D

KingSigy

Isn't this technically still "Free-To-Play?" I know "Spiral Knights" on PC adapts the same model and that really blows.

AmuroRay

Okay, first my colony gets attacked, then I have to be a mobile suit pilot in an army when I have no intention to fight, and now I have to PAY to have a fighting chance in the simulator?

BULLSH*T. :(

xaliqen

Sure, 20 bucks to keep playing a game.

Let's bring back the old arcade days with $10 bills instead of loose change.

Wonderful.

Stealth

free to play is so lame

thecharrr

The Japanese arcade, right at home