UK charts: Skyrim takes Christmas number one

For the first time in eight years, a title not published by either EA or Activision has become the Christmas number one, with Bethesda pinching this year's festive chair with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

The Bethesda RPG makes it a second week at the summit, while Just Dance takes second and Modern Warfare 3 is third.

The usual suspects also prop up the rest of the charts, with FIFA 12, Saints Row: The Third and Battlefield 3 all making appearances.

The last time a game outside the big top two publishers was Christmas number one, which is typically announced on the final working Monday before it, was 2002. Then, the winner of that battle was Rockstar and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.

The reign of EA and Activision began in 2003 when the former took the top spot with Medal of Honor: Rising Sun.

Full top ten for the week ending December 17 is below. Last week's data is here.

1. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
2. Just Dance 3
3. Modern Warfare 3
4. FIFA 12
5. Saints Row: The Third
6. Battlefield 3
7. Assassin's Creed: Revelations
8. Mario & Sonic at the 2012 London Olympics
9. Need for Speed: The Run
10. Professor Layton and the Spectre's Call