2020. The year Playstation became play-stations. Game on. Or perhaps not. Playstation 4 is sooo last century (almost). It certainly feels that way when you compare the new PS5 with the PS4’s power, graphics, speed, audio and even the console’s jaw-dropping aesthetic beauty. Hey, if…
2020. The year Playstation became play-stations.
Game on. Or perhaps not.
Playstation 4 is sooo last century (almost). It certainly feels that way when you compare the new PS5 with the PS4’s power, graphics, speed, audio and even the console’s jaw-dropping aesthetic beauty. Hey, if you’re an Xboxer, you won’t be for much longer. Well, actually, you will. Not because you’ll be easily converted, but simply because there are not enough PS5 consoles on earth for you to grab your own. Instead, hang on to your PS4 for now and make do with a seriously cool signage stunt at Oxford Circus’ tube station.
I know. It’s almost heart-breaking. The release date for both Xbox and PS5 consoles was November 2020. The title battle was to be tightly fought – or was it? While researching this article I came across some almost implausible statements regarding PS5 sales – but it’s 2020, where anything is plausible – the year that may go down in history as the world’s worst, or at least one of them. I’d missed all the PS5 furore simply because it had been eclipsed by other world events, that were somewhat more concerning.
Bar a number of consoles being reportedly swiped from Amazon (staff were opening the boxes and replacing the console with bags of rice of a similar weight), and major retailers around the world had simply sold out. This didn’t stop the diehards who queued for hours on the release date, Thursday 19 November. Alas they found there was nothing to queue for – if you wanted a PS5 you would have needed to pre-order literally months in advance.
I love Tomsguide.com’s analogy:
‘They have pretty much sold out across the globe; it would be easier to find a needle in a haystack with your arms tied behind your back and a person pelting you with carefully crafted insults about your needle-locating ability, than it is to find a PS5 on sale.’
So at this moment in time it’s near impossible, scratch that, impossible, to pick up a PS5. Does that mean that this the clever PR stunt (installed November 18, to promote the launch the following day) of turning several of London’s iconic circle signs into one of the four Playstation icons (triangle, circle, cross or square), was done in vain? Far from it. After the year we’ve all just endured we needed some cheering up. And this installation does just that – it’s fun, playful, bright and uplifting. It’s also a nice follow on from the launch of the PS4 – the London OXO Tower installation.
By the way if you haven’t yet made the connection with station and play-station… well, anyway. Also, it’s fitting that Oxford Circus has four exits, meaning, you guessed it, we have a square, a triangle, a circle and a cross marking your way out. The fun (which will stay in place for 48hours) isn’t confined to Oxford Circus either. Lip service is paid to some of Playstation’s most loved games at several other stations.
‘Mile End has become Miles End for Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales; Lancaster Gate has become Ratchet and Clankaster Gate for Ratchet & Clank, Horizon Forbidden West Ham is Horizon Forbidden West; and – easily the laziest of the four – Seven Sisters being renamed Gran Turismo 7 Sisters’.
(Emma Tucker – Creative Review)
It’s been a devastatingly tough old year, but at least we get Sony’s brand new PS5 to look forward to. We don’t?
Who said 2020 had its redeeming features?
Creative Insight, Logo Design, Typography
If in doubt, give Helvetica a shout.
The person who’s really responsible for Helvetica as it is today is the late, legendary typographer, type designer, type consultant and type historian – Mike Parker.
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