Game on as Xbox One console is unleashed in London

 
Result: Charlie Pulbrook was the first gamer to pick up an Xbox One in London
PA
Mark Prigg|Anna Dubuis22 November 2013

Computer game fans across London queued until midnight last night waiting for the launch of the latest Xbox console, which experts say could become the fastest selling in history.

The £429.99 Xbox One went on sale across the globe today, marking the start of a massive battle between Sony and Microsoft for the next generation console.

Microsoft took over Leicester Square for the launch, which comes a week ahead of Sony’s Playstation 4 hitting British shops.

What a sight: promotional staff hand out free drinks to thirsty customers (Picture: PA)
PA

Charlie Pulbrook, 26, from Sidcup, who was first in line, said: “I’m shaking with excitement. I’m ecstatic. I didn’t realise I was going to be the first person.

“I guess you could say I’m a gaming addict.

“This is an investment, I’m going to have it for 10 years. I didn’t know if I could afford it but I’ve been saving up and being careful,” added the freelance animator.

Dream machine: The Xbox One

Jordan Fife, 27, and Audrey Barnes, 24, bought last-minute flights from Edinburgh to London and were spending less than 24 hours in the capital before heading home.

“It’s a once in decade thing. I’ve already got the week booked off work so I can play on it,” said Mr Fife.

Red hot: Singer Plan B performing at the event (Picture: PA)
PA

The launch event kicked off with performances from rapper Plan B and singer Katy B outside the GAME store in the Trocadero.

Alex Simmons, UK Editor-in-Chief of gaming site IGN.com, said: “It’s been over seven years since the last generation of consoles launched so understandably there’s huge excitement around the launch of Xbox One and PlayStation 4.

“The PS4, which launched in the US last week, sold over a million units in 24 hours, making it the fastest-selling console of all time. Whether Xbox One will steal that record remains to be seen – it certainly could.”

Xbox launch: the stage under construction before tonight's launch event

Experts say the two consoles are in reality similar.

“While PS4 is being pitched as a traditional games machine and Xbox One an entertainment hub, the truth is there really isn’t that much to differentiate the two.

“Both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One have huge potential but we won’t see that realisation for at least a couple of years,” said Simmonds.

Xbox One square: work on the transformation of Leicester Square for tonight's launch

“Developers are only just scratching the surface of what the two machines are capable of and, as we saw with PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, it could take years until we really see games and experiences that truly push the potential of what the PS4 and Xbox One can offer.”

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in