CVG

Games industry analysts have weighed in with US sales predictions for the month of October, ahead of the NPD Group's release of official market data this Thursday.

Wedbush Morgan's Michael Pachter and fellow analyst firm EEDAR expect Xbox 360 sales to top those of PS3 and Wii for the 22nd consecutive month.

They also predict further underwhelming monthly Vita sales of between 40,500 and 45,000 units in October.

Pachter said in a research note distributed this afternoon: "Combined PSP and PS Vita unit sales were down 23% in the PS Vita's eighth month [September]. In our view, the PS Vita is highly unlikely to gain traction, even if Sony decides to cut price later this year."

Last week Sony lowered its annual sales forecast for Vita and PSP from a combined total of 12 million units to ten million. Those predictions are down from 16 million units forecast in May.

On the software front, Pachter expects October sales to be led by Skylanders Giants, Medal of Honor: Warfighter and Pokémon Black & White 2.

Wedbush / EEDAR October hardware sales estimates (change year-on-year):

360 - 305,000 (-22%) / 315,000 (-20%)

PS3 - 226,000 (-9%) / 225,000 (-10%)

3DS - 220,000 (-12%) / 250,000 (0%)

DS - 105,000 (-42%) / 115,000 (-36%)

Wii - 85,000 (-66%) / 135,000 (-46%)

Vita - 40,500 (n/a) / 45,000 (n/a)

PSP - 7,500 (-89%) / 6,000 (-92%)

PS2 - 1,000 (-94%) / (n/a)

Total - 990,000 (-30%) / 1,091,000 (-22%)

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/376788/xbox-360-to-lead-october-npd-sales-vita-still-struggling-analysts/

Big discrepancy in Wii numbers, looks like Wii might be a wildcard this holiday.

Next month for Vita is really the one that matters.

1 full month for Ass Creed + Cod and NFS and others.
If that month don't see a visible improvement... then drastic measures must happen - because no game will take it out of the hole.

Not bad for PS3!

November is going to be a BIG month for vita, the releases of assassins creed, need for speed, ragnarok, persona, battle royale and call of duty alongside the 2 bundles with the free game(assassins creed and call of duty) but I want to know if it can maintain those sales in december

Every time I see the letters "NPD" I immediately roll my eyes. When you are a global company that sells products globally, you're going to look at ALL numbers, not just one territory. It nice to win America, but if you're losing in total sales globally? You're not really winning anything.

I want to know if it can have those sales in november to then maintain them in december.

Vita must pick up in November... i expect Big sales for Vita November on the US

When I see the letters "NPD" I always think of the German nazi party.

Maybe it's not about winning (though winning in America IS a big deal--it's where I live!).  Maybe the NPD just gives out the info for the territory it covers and we just interpret it.  Maybe. 

For some businesses, it's possible that outselling the competition takes second place to making a profit. Something to consider.