Sony today announced that an estimated 3.8 million PS3 units were sold worldwide during the holiday season. This period includes the five weeks following the last week of November 2009 and shows a 76% increase in hardware sales compared to the previous year, resulting in the most successful holiday season in the PS3’s history.

Sony also revealed that as of the 3rd of January over 38 million gamers have registered on the PlayStation Network. This number combined with the PS3 Slim, an exciting software line-up and new content and services on the PSN has meant that “the PS3 platform continues to surpass its momentum every year and remains on track to further accelerate the growth of its worldwide installed base into 2010.”

The publisher announced that PS3 hardware sales were spurred on by blockbuster gaming titles including Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Assassin’s Creed II and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. This trend of support from game developers and publishers from around the world looks set to continue with Final Fantasy XIII becoming available for North America and Europe on the 9th of March.

Sony rounded off the press release with this bold statement: “In 2010, SCEI will continue to deploy various measures to further expand the PS3 software line-up, including highly anticipated titles such as God of War 3, Gran Turismo 5, MAG, Heavy Rain and ModNation Racers.”

“The company will also vigorously enhance the network content and services, while tapping into a wider audience through the introduction of a new Motion Controller (Motion Controller is a tentative name) supported with a variety of software titles as well as delivering outstanding 3D experience in homes with 3D stereoscopic games and movies (Users will be able to enjoy 3D stereoscopic games and movies by updating their PS3 system with the supported firmware updates. Details of the firmware updates will be announced when they become available) that is possible only on the PS3 platform.”