Pachter Factor Questions July 2019

Dear Pach. Did anything crazy happen this year at your E3 party?

Dear Pach. How about some way to early E3 2020 predictions?

Sony has been really silent, what's their plan?

Mr Wolf 15G

Hey Pach. Burnout 3: Takedown is one of EA’s most highly rated games yet it was only developed for the original Xbox and PS2, which are now end of life. Do Publishers have duty of care to remake milestone games in digital formats to increase the longevity of each game and preserve them for future generations?

benjameshodges

Hey Pach. Why are console manufacturers averse to offering options for their consoles at launch? When Apple or Samsung release their new phones they offer varying specs, sizes and features to offer something for different budgets and requirements. If the XBOX One launched with Kinect, without Kinect, with Disc Drive and digital only with prices that vary, would that have made it more successful? And would Microsoft have had a better platform to move to digital only by offering the disc drive for those who want it, but having a digital only option that is cheaper?

benjameshodges

Dear Pach. The top 6 companies gambling industry in the UK have put an offer of a voluntary scheme to the Gambling Commission and Parliamentary Select Committee that will put more of the profits towards anti addiction programmes, a limit of sports team sponsorship promotion, a limit of advertising during major sporting events and a watershed for gambling adverts on tv. A PR spokesperson said “this was done to avoid the strict regulation of the alcohol and tobacco industries that happened before.” Conversely, EA’s Lead Counsel lied (intentionally or not) to the same select committee when asked about Loot Boxes (surprise mechanics). Should the ESA be drawing a consensus across the industry to try to avoid more governments looking at the practices around in game monetisation? Other than try and get everyone back to E3 do you think this is something the new head of the ESA is going to / should look at. Thanks Keith

Dear Pach. Do you feel conflicted about the current approach to E3 against what you’d like it to be? With less publishers and platform holders and fewer members of the public, does that make your job easier with meetings set against everyone (publishers and platform holders) coming back (which you’ve said needs to happen) and the event being busier with the public (who now aren’t going to be shut out again)

How's it going Pach? Do you think rebranding loot boxes into "surprise mechanics" will work? What do you think of the recent Parliament hearings trying to justify if loot boxes are ethical? Do you think game publishers and investors would make more money in the long run if they didn't participate in loot boxes and micro-transactions? P.S. What was the favorite scotch you tried during E3?

Hey Pach. We have heard stories of Gamestop's impending doom for a while now. In reality, are they heading towards bankruptcy or are they going to survive long term?

Nick Kearney

Hi Pach, why don't game publishers come up with their own distribution system, instead of paying Microsoft, Sony and the others large amounts of fees for distribution? They're hurting themselves by having multiple marketplaces, so why not work together?

Hi PACH! Thanks for continuing to answer our questions! Now that E3 is past us, was there any serious errors that were made at E3? I know PC wasn't very impressive, at least there were no exclusives that seems to blow anybody's mind. Also, was it correct that Sony seemed to be sneaking around the show after all?

BNR

Did Sony made a smart move not being at e3?

Hi Michael Packer. With the race to get there consoles out 1st who do u think wins next year Sony or Microsoft? Do u see Sony pulling a Nintendo and release it in March or may or do u see them trying to release it a week or 2 before Microsoft. If they try that do u see Microsoft cbing them by releasing it in September of they try it? Also while these 2 going at each other do u see Nintendo releasing switch 2.0 and switch mini?

Hi Pach! Could new Chinese tariffs over the next year hurt the rollout of next gen consoles? Would MS or Sony ever increase their console price just to offset tariff costs?

Pach, what was your favorite game at E3 2019?

NeO JD