Games from the Mobile Suit Gundam series are slow to release outside of Japan—if at all—and the latest trailer for the free-to-play Mobile Suit Gundam: Battle Operation doesn’t make the “region envy” any better.

With more and more developers trying to emulate the free-t0-play model for online gaming with consoles, the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise is arguably the biggest player to test the waters in the PlayStation 3 market. Sadly, there’s still no hint of Battle Operation releasing outside of the Japanese PlayStation Network.

It’s a shame, because judging by the latest trailer for the game, the concept is remarkably deep.

Aside from the 6-on-6 multiplayer skirmishes, the customization in Mobile Suit Gundam: Battle Operation goes from your mobile suit’s parts to the colors on your pilot’s outfit. Anyone playing the game for free gets 12 credits per day, and afterwards, it’s pay-to-play, which is where Namco Bandai hopes to drum up some revenue.

Mobile Suit Gundam: Battle Operation will be a free download for Japanese PS3s this month, and I’m dying inside at the thought of never being able to play it.

Really, just look at all the One Year War-era UC mobile suits that are playable in the game. It’s not fair!

Source: Siliconera