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Konami's Vita AR tank game is freemium
Konami will offer its cute downloadable AR tank game in time for the Japanese launch of the PlayStation Vita, for free (or more). AR Combat DigiQ: Friend Tank Battalion, based on Konami's Combat DigiQ remote-controlled tanks, will turn any surface at which you point the Vita camera into a battleground for little tanks -- and you'll get five of said battlegrounds for free. This isn't a gesture of kindness on Konami's part, however: AR Combat DigiQ is a freemium game, with additional levels available for purchase. Stages 6-30 will be bundled for ¥800 ($10.26, but discounted to ¥500 at launch), and stages 31 to 35 and 36 to 40 will sell for ¥200 ($2.56) per pack. That might be annoying, but wouldn't you buy more AR Games levels for your 3DS if you could?
Command tiny radio-controlled tanks in Vita AR game
Here's one to be filed in the verbose category of Games That Are Unlikely To Leave Japan But Contain Items That Suit Our Interests. Konami announced AR Combat Digi Q, an online tank combat game that relies on the PlayStation Vita's incredible capacity to augment reality itself. Or, you know, a neat camera-based game. According to Andriasang, the Konami-published title is derived from its own line of infrared-controlled combat toys (read an insanely detailed review here). The Vita's analog sticks act as the remote control and the miniature vehicles are replaced by polygonal representations on-screen, placed atop whatever background is in view of the camera. That might be a few too many layers of abstraction if you just wanted to drive a tank like Pierce Brosnan did, but at least it cuts down on toy litter in the living room. Speaking of toy litter: Isn't it about time someone brought back Re-Volt?