- Title: UK: Song, dance and zombies accompany Xbox One launch
- Date: 22nd November 2013
- Summary: CLOSE OF COMPUTER GAME
- Embargoed: 7th December 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: United Kingdom
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Entertainment,Science / Technology,Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA96I4B05BQJOMN930G1R442T0F
- Story Text: The launch of the latest Xbox console in Britain is marked by an extravagant event.
Zombies and Roman centurions took over London's Leicester Square on Thursday (November 21) for the launch of Microsoft's next-gen console, Xbox One.
They were joined in the location which is best known for its glitzy movie premieres by a two-hour show that included performances by Katy B and Plan B.
The computer game industry has not been known to hold such big launches but according to Andy Robinson, editor of Computer and Video Games, things are changing.
"Just recently Grand Theft Auto V was the biggest entertainment launch of any medium in the world and that just does mark out how far our medium has come in this last generation," Robinson said.
"The barrier for entry into gaming is a lot lower, you've got a lot different demographics of people who are gamers and play games and because of that the experiences are going to get bigger, there's going to be more money in it and there are going to be games that appeal to a wider audience," he said.
The Xbox One console has various functions that it hopes will set it apart from its competitors, like voice activation, home entertainment applications and its Kinect feature, which allows players to control games and devices by physical movement without using a controller.
"As for gaming, the sensor shows a lot of potential but it's not really convincing as of yet if it's going to be revolutionary as a gaming peripheral but we'll see those types of experiences come as the console grows, I imagine," Robinson said.
The launch was overseen by Chris Lewis, Regional Vice President for Xbox Europe, who agreed that the potential for the console is yet to be seen.
"This is just the start. There is so much more coming from Xbox One. We'll launch in more countries next year, we'll bring more entertainment apps to the platform, we'll bring more and more games, the experiences will grow and our Xbox Live system which is quite frankly the oxygen of what we do. It connects everybody and the way it allows us to evolve the platform is stunning," Lewis said.
After the events in Leicester Square, people wishing to buy an Xbox One were invited to London's Trocadero entertainment centre where they could sample the console before a midnight sale.
Charlie Pulbrook was first in line to get his hands on the console.
"I'm absolutely shattered but it's worth every minute. I got up at four o'clock this morning to make sure I was there so I've not stopped ever since and it's approaching 24 hours very soon that I've been up but I've enjoyed every minute of it," he said.
Alison Brazendale was also one of the first ten in the queue, but she wasn't there for her own passions.
"I have four children and I have a husband that's obsessed with gadgets so if I wasn't here then my life wouldn't be worth living," she said.
Xbox One is on sale in the United Kingdom now with its main competitor Playstation 4 being released on November 29. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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