The struggling economy once again led to a reduction in consumer spending, with October video game industry sales sliding 19 percent compared to October 2008, according to research compiled by the NPD Group.
Video game sales dropped 18 percent down to $572.7 million, while gaming hardware sales dropped to $380.7 million.
The Sony PlayStation 3 outsold the Microsoft Xbox 360 game console yet again, with Sony's correct assumption that a cheaper PS3 would boost sales. Despite lagging sales compared to the PS3, Microsoft Xbox 360 game titles took five of the top 10 spots in October. The Nintendo Wii, as usual, led the pack but also saw its sales drop by almost 300,000 units, down to 503,000.
"Uncharted 2: Among Thieves" led October game sales, with 537,000 game titles sold throughout the month.
October 2009 sales still proved to be the third best October since analysts started keeping track of the industry, trailing behind Oct. 2008 and Oct. 2007.
Even so, the struggling economy still has taken a very damaging toll on the video game industry.
"The continued economic turmoil, and in particular the troubling unemployment rate, is undoubtedly impacting industry sales," NPD Group analyst Anita Frazier said in a statement. "Our latest Economy Tracker indicated that although consumers' general opinion about the economy is improving, their outlook on their own personal situation is worsening."
Even though October sales struggled, November game sales should end the game industry's slump, with Activision's "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2" video game racking up $310 million in one-day sales. Furthermore, the upcoming title releases of "New Super Mario Bros. Wii" and "Assassin's Creed II" should give the industry a jump start going into December.
The near future of the game industry -- despite being a multi-billion market -- remains unknown, though analysts agree that it will pick up as the economy continues to recover.
