Xbox gamers around the world have already snapped up five million copies of Halo 2 since the game's launch in early November.

Microsoft Game Studios claimed that the sales take the total "Halo franchise" past the 11 million mark, taking into account cumulative shipments of Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2 and Halo for Windows.

The software giant's gaming division also claimed that Xbox Live online players have clocked up a record-setting 28 million hours playing Halo 2, which is more than any other Xbox Live game in the history of the online service.

Gamers played online for an average of 91 minutes per session, the firm reported, adding that Xbox Live has already attracted more than 900,000 unique users.

"This year's Christmas line-up provides something for everyone in the family and is great value for Xbox gamers," said Chris Lewis, EMEA regional vice president at Microsoft's Xbox and Home and Entertainment Division.