UPDATE: The game to be included in the 3G bundle has been revealed to be Super Stardust Delta, as well as its Advanced Star Fighter DLC. The original story, as reported on January 27, is as follows:
The PlayStation Vita doesn't come out in North America until next month but the press on the Japanese release late last year hasn't been positive. Sony's new handheld hasn't been selling well and there've been reports of various technical issues. In addition, there isn't much incentive to buy the more expensive 3G Vita model, perhaps because AT&T is the service provider.
IGN is now reporting via Twitter user felliniflex that Sony has responded to both these issues for the American market by offering a 3G Vita bundle that adds a bunch of goodies at no extra cost.
The PSN game being offered isn't known as of now.
It's interesting that Sony is offering this bundle. Now the more expensive model is the better deal! How about that?
If you look at the fine print its interesting yet worrying, especially the highlighted parts make this a not so great deal.
"Promotional Offer expires May 31, 2012. Redemption code must be used within 90 days of issuance and is not transferable, nor redeemable. Limit one per customer. Offer for purchasers of Sony PS Vita 3G/Wi-Fi only. Your promotional 250 MB session automatically starts upon expiration of your 1st session plan, if you have activated the redemption code. Offer redeemed is for 250MB DataConnect Pass session only, regardless if you are on the 250MB or 3GB DataConnect Pass plan.) AT&T not responsible for taxes or lost redemption codes. Plans automatically renew, so after your promotional session expires, automatic renewal of your 1st DataConnect Pass plan selected will take effect and you are responsible for charges, unless you cancel auto-renewal before the plan renews. DataConnect Pass Plan: Time begins expiring immediately upon purchase/activation whether you are using the service or not. Once your time expires or your allotted data is used, whichever occurs first, your data access will cease. Coverage not available in all areas. For information on prepaid data plans, visit att.com/buyasession and for full terms, see Session Based Wireless Data Service Agreement at att.com/wirelesslegal."
Sign up today and receive a free game:
1. Select and sign up for an AT&T DataConnect Pass plan.
2. Login to your PlayStation Network account on your PS Vita.
3. 30 days after your DataConnect Pass activation, you will receive a game voucher code redeemable on the PlayStation Store.
*For details and limitations go to us.playstation.com/psvita
Damn fine print. The memory card alone might make it worth it though.
Wow, can Sony sink itself even more...
Joaquim,
Outside of the PSN game, I don't think much of it has to do with Sony but with AT&T, since you would utilize AT&T's network for 3G you have to follow their terms of service.
In my opinion why would you need a GPS or 3G for your PS Vita? If you have a smartphone then you would typically have some form of 3G. If you really want portable internet access for your PS Vita, you might as well either get a tethering plan for your smart phone which would be cheaper or get a portable hotspot device which would not only work for a PS Vita but it would work with your laptop, 3DS, iPad, Android tablet, and so forth.
That makes sense, as I had no idea about such concept (tethering plan) was available. I have never owned a cellphone.
I just think that because Sony accepted the partnership with AT&T then they're also responsible for what kind of product is offered.
Part of it is because the 3G versions of PS Vita all have GSM chips in them since GSM is a common globally used cellular technology. The big 2 GSM providers in the US are AT&T and T-Mobile. It probably would of been more costly for Sony to make a Verizon or Sprint compatible CDMA model only for the US market.
Regarding the partnership, a scenario like that would only be plausible in a perfect world. In reality, the partnership is that Sony creates a model that works with AT&T's network and that's about it, if you want to use it then great.
But my big turn off from the 3G model is that the 3G connection only allows you to push updates, browse the internet, and use stuff like GPS and Twitter. According to some sources, you can't play online multiplayer over 3G and only features such as leaderboard updates are utilized. That and I don't want another monthly data bill since I get one for my cellphone and that's more than enough.