Gamers in the United States have had the option of picking up a 3G-enabled PlayStation Vita for several months now, but Canada has been limited just to the Wi-Fi-only model, until now. Today, Sony’s Canadian division has confirmed that the 3G-capable Vita will hit store shelves up north on October 2.
Rogers Communications will provide the service to customers, enabling them to use social apps like Facebook and Flickr or use the system’s web browser even when away from an access point. The console will retail for $299.99, and include download vouchers for Gravity Rush and Unit 13. Two plans will be available. One will allow up to 250 megabytes of 3G downloads for $15 a month, while the other will allow 5 gigabytes for $35 a month.
More information can be found in the following press release:
TORONTO, Sept. 11, 2012 /CNW/ – Rogers Communications and Sony Computer Entertainment Canada announced today that Rogers will provide exclusive wireless connectivity for the 3G-enabled PlayStation Vita launching in Canada this fall. With a wireless connection, PS Vita owners will now have the ability to remain connected to their content and gaming community over the Rogers wireless network.
“PlayStation Vita with a 3G connection will completely transform the way Canadian gamers play on the go, offering new ways to play games and interact with entertainment,” said Stephen Turvey, Vice President and General Manager, SCEC. “With access to the Rogers 3G wireless network, PlayStation Vita owners will be able to stay connected with their friends and experience PS Vita’s rich social gaming features virtually wherever they are.”
PS Vita systems with an active Rogers data package will also take advantage of software functionality developed specifically for the 3G-enabled model that allow users to game at the speed of their mobile lifestyle, including turn-based, asynchronous multiplayer gameplay, instantly updated rankings and leaderboards, immediate access to the latest downloadable add-on content, and real-time community news.
“Canadians want to live connected lives, and we are enabling another world-leading internet experience through working with Sony to deliver the next mobile gaming innovation to Canadians,” said Mansell Nelson, Vice-President, Machine to Machine at Rogers. “By powering wireless connectivity, we will enhance mobile gaming through delivering a convenient and seamless experience to hundreds of thousands of PlayStation Vita users across Canada.”
Wireless enablement and a seamless payment interface will be built into the PS Vita system through a specialized SIM card powered by the Rogers Control Centre.
PS Vita owners will have the ability to activate data packages directly on their device. Rogers will offer two data packages on a month-to-month basis with no long term contract. Two plans will be available at launch including:
250 MB for $15.00, 30-day data package which starts at the date and time of purchase
5 GB for $35, 30-day data package which starts at the date and time of purchase
PS Vita also features a wide range of social networking features developed specifically for the system that provide unique, handheld entertainment experiences:Location-based application “near” will allow users to find out what other PS Vita owners in their vicinity are currently playing and what titles are most popular in the area. “near” also enables location-based gaming features such as “gifting,” in which a user can access virtual game-related items that other users are sharing by checking in at geographic locations. For example, in the popular kart racing series ModNation Racers: Road Trip, PS Vita users will be able to collect rare gift items provided through the game when visiting specific points of interest in 45 major cities around the world. They can then share them with other PS Vita owners through the “near” application.
“LiveArea™” is an interactive interface for each PS Vita software title in which users can access the latest information for games through PlayStation®Network.
In addition, a variety of social networking and communications services such as Facebook, Flickr, foursquare, and Twitter will be available on PS Vita.
The PlayStation®Vita 3G/Wi-Fi Launch Bundle includes a download voucher for two great exclusive PS Vita games* – Gravity Rush™ and Unit 13™, and will be available at major electronics retailers in Canada on October 2 for $299.99. Rogers data packages are priced separately and will be available on a month-to-month basis. Users can easily activate a data package directly from their PS Vita system.For more information on the 3G-enabled lineup for PlayStation Vita, please visit www.playstation.ca
For the complete array of Rogers offerings, visit www.rogers.com/m2m.
About Rogers Communications:
Rogers Communications is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. We are Canada’s largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services and one of Canada’s leading providers of cable television, high speed internet and telephony services. Through Rogers Media we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, sports entertainment, and digital media. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For further information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit rogers.com.About Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® systems, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking PlayStation®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system and its online and network services the PlayStation®Network and PlayStation®Store. Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets and distributes software for the PS one, PlayStation 2, PSP, PSPgo, PS Vita and PS3 systems for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC serves as headquarters for all North American operations.