Microsoft: 28 Million Xbox 360s Sold, 17 Million On Xbox Live

The Xbox 360 game console has sold a total of 28 million units worldwide as of the end of 2008, according to a new official Microsoft statement. In November, the company reported a global userbase of over 25 million units, passing the lifetime total for the original Xbox. Just yesterday, the company revealed that its European userbase stood at 8 million units. Although the Xbox 360 launched a year earlier than its two rival consoles, Microsoft has been keen to emphasize its increasing lead over Sony’s console. The PlayStation 3 is currently claimed to have on a global total of around 20 million, according to Microsoft's comments to the LA Times, while the Wii had 34.55 million at the end of September 2008, according to official numbers. Newly updated figures are expected in each company’s forthcoming spring financial reports. Other figures revealed by Microsoft include an online community of 17 million members for Xbox Live. Consumer spending on Live has increased 84 percent year-on-year, with lifetime online revenues since the Xbox 360’s launch now put at over $1 billion. "2008 was our biggest year ever in Xbox history," product management director Aaron Greenberg told Reuters. "The $199 price point was really critical to our success this holiday."