Call of Duty 4 surpasses Halo 3 as top Live title

In a blog post from Microsoft's Major Nelson, the company revealed that Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was the most popular game on the Xbox Live service for the week ended January 14.

This marked the first time that a game has surpassed the online popularity of Halo 3, which remained in the number one spot since its launch in September 2007. Halo 3 remains popular, however - it merely dropped to the second spot.

Based upon unique users, the most popular Xbox 360 Live titles for the week ended January 14 were:

1. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
2. Halo 3
3. Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock
4. Gears of War
5. Rock Band
6. Madden NFL 08
7. Assassin's Creed
8. Mass Effect
9. FIFA 08
10. Forza Motorsport 2

Major Nelson's blog also revealed the most popular Xbox Live Arcade titles for the week ended January 14, according to the full versions purchased. They were:

1. Metal Slug 3
2. Boogie Bunnies
3. Omega Five
4. TRON
5. UNO
6. Bomberman LIVE
7. TMNT 1989 Arcade
8. Sonic The Hedgehog 2
9. Worms
10. Marble Blast Ultra

Microsoft recently announced that it would recognise developers who have created titles for the service by establishing the first Xbox Live Arcade awards.

The winners, selected by popular vote, will be announced at GDC in February.