SGN is working on a free-plus-paid version of FAST

Ever since Apple announced its new option whereby developers can release a free game that contains extra items and content you have to buy, we've been waiting for developers to announce such releases.

Ngmoco was quick of the mark last week with a free version of Rolando 2, which has since been leaping up the free charts (#17 at time of writing).

Now however comes news - via TechCrunch - that one of the big guns of social gaming SGN is coming to free-plus-paid play.

Its FAST air combat game has already sold over 1.8 million copies, and now there's going to be free version in which you can buy extra items such as upgrades or entire planes.

Indeed, as you can see from the above screenshot, it seems as if SGN is expecting people will shell out more for extra items as for the game. FAST currently costs 99c, but the Electro-Armor Charge x10 is priced at $1.99.

TechCrunch quotes SGN's CEO Shervin Pishevar as saying the company will be careful not to take advantage of players - the so-called bait and switch approach that effectively forces players to pay to gain access to decent gameplay.

But SGN will be going full steam ahead when it comes to free-plus-paid games in future.

And you can be sure, it won't be the only company doing so either.

[source: TechCrunch]