Sony patents new kind of game demo

Interesting idea from Sony: They have patented a game demo that essentially gives the user the full game to begin with but over time (or based on number of plays) it will gradually lose features until the user purchases the full game. For example, if the game is an RPG, when you reach certain levels or after you have played so many hours, your character stats may decrease or you may lose your more powerful weapons. In addition (or alternatively), the sound or visuals of the game could degrade, becoming quiet or fuzzy (good for a cat, bad for a game). If done well, this could be a good move on Sony's part - regular demos usually have that limited feel to them, while this new degradable demo would give a better idea of the whole game. Furthermore, once the played is hooked and decides to purchase the game, it would only require some kind of re-unlocking (not a word) of the demo, so any play done beforehand would not be lost. That has always been my pet peeve about demos - if you like the game and want to buy it, you will typically have to play back through the parts you've already beaten on the demo. If a player could simply enter in a code to authorize full play on the degradable demo, it would save time (wouldn't have to go to the store to buy the new copy) as well as the irritation at having to replay old levels. It also adds the ever-so-important ability to impulse buy the game; if a player is enjoying the demo, it can only boost sales if s/he has the ability to immediately pay for and unlock the entire game rather than ordering it online or making the trip to the store.