Instead of trying to predict the actual NPD numbers, let's make some guesses as to how the big 3 will try to spin the numbers in their press releases.  Last month, MS made a big deal about how Halo 3 was the biggest entertainment launch ever and how the 360 accounted for 74% of software sales.  Nintendo used some weird gun metaphor about MS firing their bullet but Nintendo had more bullets to fire.  Sony had the classic line "PS3 continues to maintain an overall increase in sales", despite dropping from the previous month.

http://kotaku.com/gaming/npd/npd-numbers-the-microsoft-take-312653.php

http://kotaku.com/gaming/npd/npd-numbers-the-sony-take-312655.php

http://kotaku.com/gaming/npd/npd-numbers-the-nintendo-take-312732.php

My entries: 

Xbox 360 continues to dominate against PS3, is now corpse humping PS3's body. -- Microsoft announced that the XBox 360 was the best selling console for the Month of October according to NPD data.  The XBox 360 outsold the PS3 over 3:1 and also maintained a lead in sales over the Wii, said a Microsoft representative.  "If this were a Halo 3 match, last month was the grenade stick against Sony, and this month we are corspe humping their body.  Sony is officially dead.  Mwahahaha.  Also, be sure to pick up the XBox 360 Arcade at Wal-Mart on Black Friday.  It will be on sale for $279.92, a savings of 7 cents over the retail price."

PS3 shows great potential for the holiday season -- Sony announced that the PS3 had an increase in sales of 15% for the month of October according to NPD data.  The PS3 is seeing  a huge surge in sales in the wake of blockbuster exclusives such as Lair, Heavenly Sword, and Ratchet and Clank, said a Sony representative.  "The 15% increase in October shows the continued strength of the Playstation brand.  Extrapolating this rate of growth over the expected 10 year lifetime of the PS3, the PS3 should sell approximately 4 trillion consoles by the end of 2016."

DS and Wii: they print money -- Nintendo announced that Nintendo consoles and handheld units accounted for more sales than all of Sony's and Microsoft's products put together, according to NPD data.  The DS and Wii continue to be hot items for this holiday season, said a Nintendo representative.  "The DS and Wii are selling so much that we had to build another warehouse to store all of the money.  All of the Nintendo executives love to get together for pool parties every so often.  But instead of water, the pool is filled with cash.  It is so much fun to swim through huge piles of cash."

No thread like this is complete without a mention of the 'Playstation Family'.

I expect MS to crow about game sales, Nintendo to talk about huge sales, especially hardware, and Sony to talk about improvement, if there is any

yeo,i pretty much agree with you

but money is dirty....i hope nintendo wash it first.

Nice thread ;) Here are my predictions :)

Microsoft will probably take a jab at PS3's numbers as compared to the 360's. Actually maybe they won't, since they'll probably be ahead of the Wii too, so maybe they'll do an equally powerful move - totally ignoring the PS3's numbers.

If the Wii loses vs the 360 this month, Nintendo will talk about how solid their sales are, and how increased supply will make them have fantastic holiday sales. If they win, they'll do the same plus scream "Onwards to majestic victory".

Sony will spin the numbers, because it's the only thing they can do other than cowering in shame.

BTW, when will the numbers be revealed? In a few hours?

The numbers should be released around 6:30 pm eastern time (~2 hours from now).

Sony just bragged about its performance over a couple of weeks following their most recent price cut.  Newflash: overpriced product receives 20% price cut, more people buy it in the short term.  Details at 11.

Interestingly, they admitted sales have been bad and that they've taken a lot of heat due to the underperforming PS3.  They believe the sales bump they saw are not a sales bump, but rather are the future of the PS3.  Now they've "turned the corner" and will finally be a winner again.

Oh, and they said they were fortunate that the Wii is sold out everywhere, further boosting PS3 sales.

Sony already released their spin:

http://www.n4g.com/industrynews/News-84408.aspx

Sony's CEO Howard Stringer is giving a little tease about Sony's current PS3 sales numbers before NPD lays down the law later today with the October data. Stringer says that in the two weeks prior to Nov. 11, they sold 100,000 units per week.

However, the NPD group will only reflect data for the month of October, which saw the PS3 selling between 30K and 40K per week, according to Stringer. Sales only expectedly jumped after the introduction of the 40GB model on Nov. 2.


I'll leave you to anlayze what is wrong with the statement.

Roffle.

Sony, hire me and I'll handle PR. As awesome as I am, I may not be able to save the PS3, but I can stop daily debacles like this. Stringer won't be allowed to open his mouth unless he's reading what I've written.