2008 saw Xbox brand grow faster than any of our competitors, says 360 Europe VP

Chris Lewis, regional vice president of Xbox Europe, has issued a statement whereby he says that 2008 saw the Xbox brand grow faster than its competitors and that 360 has enjoyed its best Christmas ever sales-wise.

"2008 saw us grow faster than any of our competitors and we over-achieved in sales during the crucial Christmas selling period," said Lewis.

"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."

There could be some weight to Lewis' claims as the platform holder points to GfK Chart-Track data which shows that Xbox 360 was the fastest-growing console in 2008, with sales in the last three months of the year over double the same period in 2007 in the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain.

"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," Lewis added.

By Mike Bowden