360 console sales reach 28 million units worldwide

Microsoft has claimed that it has sold 28 million units of its Xbox 360, increasing the format’s lead over the PlayStation 3 to more than eight million consoles.

The platform holder has also reported huge growth to its Xbox Live service, which now boasts 17 million active members. Online consumer spending increased 84 per cent over 2007, with $1 billion spent on Xbox Live since the service’s launch.

Microsoft also reported its busiest week ever for Xbox Live between Christmas and New Year’s Day, with 1.5 million concurrent members online.

For Xbox, 2008 will be remembered around the world as a pivotal growth year at retail and online – even in the face of tough economic conditions,” said senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business Don Mattrick.

Worldwide, a record number of players flocked to our broadest games and entertainment line-up ever, while the New Xbox Experience thrilled millions of fans by making our console even more engaging. And yet, we’ve only provided a glimpse into the new world of interactive entertainment that we’re imagining. The best of Xbox 360 is yet to come.”

The worldwide figures follows yesterday’s news that Microsoft has sold more than 8 million 360 units in EMEA.