Several London train stations have been renamed after famous PlayStation 5 games in a ridiculous, massive scale promotional attempt. Sony’s next-gen console was released to the public just a week ago and has been selling like hotcakes. Demand for the PlayStation 5 has been so extreme that on launch day Walmart’s website crashed every time it releases new stocks, as desperate fans scrambled to secure a preorder before they sell out.
It’s easy to see why the demand for the new console has been so high; not only does the PlayStation 5 offer several significant upgrades over its predecessor, it also boasts of an impressive collection of games. Release titles such as Demon’s Souls and Spider-Man Miles Morales makes the PlayStation 5 a great choice right off the bat, and titles such as Horizon Forbidden West are coming on the way to further invigorate the game roster.
https://twitter.com/PlayStationUK/status/1329091371152470022?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1329091376303140866%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fscreenrant.com%2Fplaystation-london-underground-games%2F
Sadly, there have been reports of various bugs with the PlayStation 5 and its games, such as an issue where the new console is running PlayStation 4 versions of backward compatible games, stripping gamers of the next-gen upgrades they paid for several hundreds of dollars.
In spite of the issues and other related to it, the hype for Sony’s new machine still runs high. The official PlayStation UK account on Twitter has revealed a specifically unique way that the company is taking advantage of the PS5’s success.
A few London underground stations have been temporarily renamed in honor of a few PlayStation 5 games. London commuters can now ride the trains to stations like Horizon Forbidden West Ham and Ratchet and Clankaster Gate. Miles End (named after the hero of Spider-Man Miles Morales) and Gran Turismo 7 Sisters are also part of the public transit system of the city.
Horizon Forbidden West Ham. Yes, for real.
(Please do not shoot an arrow at the Tube train, Aloy.) #PS5 pic.twitter.com/eoZBkXYCPt
— PlayStation UK (@PlayStationUK) November 18, 2020
It’s uncertain how long these name changes will persist, or how perplexing they will be for tourists touring around the city. The post didn’t provide any in-depth details about the extent of this promotion, but it appears not unlikely that these are just simple signs, and that navigation applications won’t have to literally direct people to PlayStation 5 locations. Regardless, this is a very unique marketing technique.
Marketing techniques have become progressively weirder throughout the launch period of the next-gen consoles. Fans have witnessed fast-food franchises promoting the new machines, giant floating Xbox in a lake, and now, even public transportation systems getting in on the hype.
These unusual new marketing techniques are absolutely humorous, but they don’t do much to assist players in getting the new consoles. Hopefully, Sony will address its supply issues eventually, and then all fans can take a vacation to the PlayStation station.
