The NPD sales numbers for October 2017 are out (via Venture Beat), and the numbers are surprising considering recent gaming controversies. Middle-earth: Shadow of War, a game heavily criticized for predatory loot box scheme, is the top selling game of last month. It seems despite all the anger over Shadow of War’s loot box decisions, gamers aren’t putting their money where their mouths are. It seems they aren’t properly punching Nazis in the face either, as Wolfenstein II has gotten off to a less than stellar start, coming in at number 14 on the list.
Here are the overall October 2017 NPD software sales:

Middle-earth: Shadow of War
Assassin?s Creed: Origins
Super Mario Odyssey**
South Park: The Fractured But Whole
NBA 2K18
FIFA 18
WWE 2K18
Madden NFL 18 Destiny 2*
Forza Motorsport 7
Gran Turismo Sport
Grand Theft Auto V
The Evil Within 2**
Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus**
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild**
Mario Kart 8**
Fire Emblem: Warriors**
Tom Clancy?s Ghost Recon: Wildlands
NHL 18
Tom Clancy?s Rainbow Six: Siege

* No Battle.net sales

** No digital sales
Apparently role-playing games have gotten a big boost as well, growing by over 20 percent over the year. This doesn’t include the high selling Shadow of War or Assassin’s Creed Origins either, as The NPD Group classifies the two games as action title.
Overall for October, sales were down (likely as consumers prepare for holiday spending), except for hardware, which is u...