Microsoft has claimed that Christmas 2008 was the biggest sales period in the Xbox brand’s six-year European history – with sales of Xbox 360 almost doubling those during Christmas 2007.

The company also announced that over eight million Xbox 360 consoles have been sold in Europe, the Middle East and Africa up to the end of 2008.

It claimed that this widened its lead over PlayStation 3 in the region to more than one million – and 'set the scene for further growth in 2009'.

Chris Lewis, Regional Vice President, Interactive Entertainment Business EMEA, said: “Christmas 2008 was a resounding success for Xbox 360. 2008 saw us grow faster than any of our competitors and we over-achieved in sales during the crucial Christmas selling period.

"We reduced the entry-level Xbox 360 ERP in September, understanding the need for great value, and European consumers have responded enthusiastically. With eight million consoles sold since we launched, and consistently out-selling PlayStation 3 in EMEA, we’re poised to build on this success in 2009.

"This success was only possible through our partnerships with retail and with publishers, with whom we’ve worked closely to build a strong ecosystem in the region and to bring value to our shared customer base. As we move into 2009 and an uncertain economic climate, we continue to be committed to offering the right blend of gaming and entertainment experiences at the right price.”

Nick Parker, Founder and Games Analyst, Parker Consulting, said: “I have seen early returns for the December 2008 sales data indicating that Xbox 360 has shown a significant sales increase year on year and furthermore is ahead of its nearest rival in terms of lifetime consumer hardware sales in the EMEA region, with an installed base of over eight million units.”