Quoted off the Wall Street Journal, because if anyone knows gaming, it’s those boys.

“The NPD Group will release sales data for October late Thursday afternoon. Analysts on average are expecting sales to decline about 11% from the same month last year, according to a tabulation of estimates by MarketWatch.”

This follows a slight bump upwards in September, but the numbers are somewhat deceptive. They’re a comparison to October of last year, which saw the release of little, unnoticed titles like Fallout 3, Fable 2, and Guitar Hero: World Tour. In comparison, we’re getting more, ah, unique games like Brutal Legend (buy it) and Borderlands (buy the console version). The release of that Modern Warfare 2 game should help, a little. I guess. People seem to like it, right?

Gaming sales are also seeing a boost after the major players cut prices on their consoles, especially Sony. With the Playstation 3 now in reach of mortal means, Sony’s unholy Court of DRM and Screams has shipped out more black monoliths than ever.

Read more at the Wall Street Journal.