Bloomberg.co.uk is reporting this morning that of the in the trailed Analysts expectations by 33%, for the month of November. apparently shifted 468,000 units, whilst Industry business boffin Bob Austrian (Banc of America Securities) had predicted sales of 700,000.

"Industry growth rates, for both consoles and video games, may be slowing, or at least, seasonally weaker than expected," Austrian commented.

Microsoft spokesperson Molly O'Donnell reacted by suggesting that the latest data was inaccurate, as it excludes sales from Wal-Mart stores, the USA’s largest games retailer. Xbox sales through Wal-Mart had apparently doubled in November, according to O’Donnell.

Shares in Microsoft fell slightly at the news, whilst the likes of and also saw a decline.

By Luke Guttridge