Microsoft has announced that, by the latest tally, it has sold over 10 million Xbox 360 units in the U.S., the first of the latest generation consoles to do so, with global Xbox 360 sales reaching 19 million units. Microsoft says the launch of Grand Theft Auto IV has pushed Xbox Live membership to over 12 million players worldwide, as well, though it made no breakdown of paid gold versus free silver subscriptions. IDC research manager Billy Pidgeon said in Microsoft's statement that the Xbox Live number made the service "the largest community in the connected console games sector," and said it represented "the greatest growth opportunity in the console market." Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices VP Don Mattrick said of the figures, "History has shown us that the first company to reach 10 million in console sales wins the generation battle. We are uniquely positioned to set a new benchmark for the industry.”