O X... square, triangle? London tower gets a PlayStation control symbol makeover on eve of US launch of PS4 (and PS, it'll hit the UK in two weeks)

  • Sony game console arrives in UK on November 29, while Microsoft's XBox One will be released one week earlier
  • Prices for the PS4 will start at £349 - significantly lower than the XBox, which will retail at £429

By Nick Enoch

PUBLISHED: 16:56 EST, 14 November 2013 | UPDATED: 17:49 EST, 14 November 2013


Any tourists in London hoping to see the famous OXO lettering on the eponymous tower tonight might be a tad bewildered... unless they also happen to be gaming fans.

The iconic landmark on the South Bank has been given a cunning makeover on the eve of the US launch of the new PS4 console.

The side of the building was marked with the PlayStation's control pad symbols: Circle, Cross, Square, Triangle.

Over the next two weeks, Sony and Microsoft will be launching the latest versions of their popular PlayStation and Xbox video game consoles in head-to-head retail campaigns going into the holiday shopping season. 

London's OXO Tower has undergone a transformation to celebrate the build-up to the UK launch of the new PlayStation console
London's OXO Tower has undergone a transformation to celebrate the build-up to the UK launch of the new PlayStation console

London's OXO Tower, on the South Bank, has undergone a transformation to celebrate the build-up to the UK launch of the new PlayStation console, as well as its imminent release in the US

The side of the building was marked with the console's control pad symbols: Circle, Cross, Square, Triangle

To herald the UK launch on Novermber 29, the side of the building was marked with the console's control pad symbols: Circle, Cross, Square, Triangle

The PS4, the first new version of the platform in eight years, goes on sale in Britain on November 29, while the Xbox One is out exactly one week earlier.

Prices for the PS4 will start at £349 - significantly lower than the new XBox One model, which will retail at £429.

Most of the best PlayStation 4 games will be available on Microsoft's new console as well.

 

More...

For die-hard fans who can't wait another two weeks, Sony is providing access to a dedicated PS4 lounge where they can try out the console before its release.

The lounge, in Covent Garden, will open its doors from tomorrow until December 1.

Prices for the PS4 will start at £349 - significantly lower than Microsoft's soon-to-launch XBox One model, which will retail at £429

Prices for the PS4 will start at £349 - significantly lower than Microsoft's soon-to-launch XBox One model, which will retail at £429

The tower as it normally looks. It was acquired by the OXO cube makers in the 1920s

The tower as it normally looks. It was acquired by the OXO cube makers in the 1920s

The OXO tower
The OXO tower

In the 1990s, the building and tower were refurbished to a high standard, giving the building over to shops, galleries, residential and restaurant space, with the latter opening as Oxo Tower Restaurant in 1996

The PS4's launch line-up includes 22 games to attract fans of just about any genre, from military shooters to sports simulations to family-friendly adventures.

It also offers such a wealth of easily accessible media apps, including Hulu and Netflix, that it may draw even the non-gamers in your household.

The PlayStation 4 is a slender, unobtrusive box that plugs into your TV via HDMI cable.

Once you've turned on the power, it takes just a few minutes to connect to the Internet and create or update a free account on Sony's PlayStation Network. 

Workers brave the heights to give the tower a special facelift
Workers brave the heights to give the tower a special facelift

Workers brave the heights to give the iconic tower by the Thames a special facelift to herald the launch of the console - which is not compatible with PS3 titles

Above, a worker on the side of the tower

For die-hard fans who can't wait another two weeks, Sony is providing access to a dedicated PS4 lounge in Covent Garden, where they can try out the console before its release. Above, a worker on the side of the tower

The PlayStation 4 is a slender, unobtrusive box that plugs into your TV via HDMI cable

The PlayStation 4 is a slender, unobtrusive box that plugs into your TV via HDMI cable

The PS4's on-screen user interface has been streamlined, with a horizontal bar of large icons for games and apps.

Above that is a line of smaller icons that let you connect with other PlayStation owners, change system settings or access the PlayStation Store, where you can download new games and buy or rent movies.

You navigate through all this with Sony's new DualShock 4 controller. The old ones won't work.

Like previous controllers, DualShock 4 offers vibration and motion sensing.

It now has a clickable touchpad as well.

And Sony says the PlayStation 4 has ten times the processing power of the PS3.

That should translate into higher screen resolution (up to 1080p) and faster frame rates (up to 60 frames per second), meaning more detailed environments, more realistic lighting, smoother animation and huge online multiplayer matches.

But as it has new hardware, you won't be able to play any of your PS3 games on the new machine.

An Amazon warehouse filled with PS4 consoles awaiting shipment

An Amazon warehouse filled with PS4 consoles awaiting shipment

FROM STOCK CUBES TO GAME CAMPAIGN: THE OXO TOWER

The OXO tower

To those who have grown up in Britain, the brand of Oxo is well-known for its stock cubes.

Although the building was originally built as a power station for the Post Office in the late 19th century, it was acquired by LiebIg (Oxo’s manufacturers) in the late 1920s.

While much of the building was demolished, the façade remained and was extended.

Architect Albert W Moore proposed spelling out Oxo in electric lights on the tower, but was refused permission, so the compromise of Oxo written in the window panes was agreed.

However, after Oxo moved out, over the years, the building fell into decline.

A new dawn was heralded when was acquired by the Coin Street Community Builders in 1984.

In the 1990s, the building and tower were refurbished to a high standard, giving the building over to shops, galleries, residential and restaurant space, with the latter opening as Oxo Tower Restaurant in 1996.             


Comments (24)

Share what you think

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

PS4, Not compatible with PS3 titles. Since when? I won't bother then.

5
0
 Click to rate

well done Fiona....a great demonstration on why you shouldn't have a rant about something you have no absolutely no idea about...you've demonstrated the art of ignorance wonderfully there. you point out the fact that your step mothers son couldnt read at the age of 7 and yet he could use and play these games...do you not think you should be blaming your step mother for not ensuring her son concentrated on his studies and for not curbing his use of such luxuries until he took his education seriously....i can fully understand why a 7yr old would rather play on a console rather than concentrate on reading and writing, i cant however understand why the said 7yr olds parents would allow him to do so....playstation isnt controlling the mother so why is she not taking control of her sons education???? lazy, bad parenting if you ask me??? but is suppose its easier to blame something that cant answer back right??

0
10
 Click to rate

Tom2106, it releases on the 29th in the UK.

0
1
 Click to rate

Sorry, I was thinking of the pre order.

0
1
 Click to rate

OXO? Showing my age as I thought it was an advert for something else.

0
2
 Click to rate

Stay just as you are - you escape the hypnotism like me :D

0
0
 Click to rate

I am waiting for it:)

2
4
 Click to rate

I am waiting for it :)

2
6
 Click to rate

I've always enjoyed taking my wife up the OXO tower.

4
19
 Click to rate

Pre ordered mine today from amazon. Won't be able to get it straight away as they don't have enough but should have it a few days later. Better than waiting the weeks to find one in a store.

5
2
 Click to rate

Ps4 releases on the 19th, not the 29th in the uk.

19
2
 Click to rate

2 of 3 repliesSee all replies

wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong

0
2
 Click to rate

I don't know where you got your information from but you're wrong. It's the 29th.

0
0
 Click to rate

Keep it, it looks nicer.

3
12
 Click to rate

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now