LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Sales of Microsoft Corp.'s blockbuster action video game "Halo 2" have reached 6.4 million units worldwide, Microsoft said on Thursday. In a few short months, "Halo 2" has surpassed 2001's "Halo," which had been the best-selling game ever for Microsoft's Xbox console.Together, the "Halo" franchise has sold 12.8 million units around the world. "Halo 2" was the No. 2 game of 2004 in the United States, behind "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" from Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.

Microsoft Corp. today announced that its Xbox Live online gaming service has set a new standard with more than 1.4 million members, exceeding expectations and cementing its leadership position in the digital entertainment landscape.
Smashing previously established records, the Xbox Live community has logged a record-breaking 91 million hours playing "Halo 2" since the title's launch -- more than any other Xbox Live game in the two-year history of the service. In addition, the instantly immersive gameplay has resulted in close to 61 million logged sessions on the game, with an average session lasting nearly 92 minutes, approximately the length of a major motion picture.

Other highlights from NPD Funworld include these:
- Monthly share for Xbox has grown year-to-year every month for 14 consecutive months, climbing 11 share points to 37 percent in December.
- Xbox was the only platform to see year-to-year growth during the fourth quarter of 2004 and the full calendar year 2004, while Xbox competitors and the overall market declined year over year for both time periods.
- Xbox annual 2004 console unit market share increased an impressive 12 points compared with 2003 and ended the year with a 37 percent share.
- Xbox had three titles in the top 10 in December: No. 4, "Halo(R) 2" from Microsoft Games Studios (including sales of the Limited Edition); No. 6, "Need for Speed: Underground 2" from Electronic Arts Inc.; and No. 10, "Star Wars(info): Knights of the Old Republic 2" from LucasArts.
- Xbox software sales led the way in 2004 as unit sales increased 46 percent year-over-year, and increased 55 percent (annual 2004 vs. annual 2003).
- There are now more than 200 Xbox Live-enabled titles, making it the richest library of online console games available today.