How to write to Devs

[soujiroseta]

i was wondering what exactly to write in an email when contacting devs for interviews and such. is there any special format or anything like that?

[yaustar]

Briefly introduce yourself.
Write why are you emailing them.
Don't expect an answer.

Of course, the subject body of the email depends on whether you are emailing directly to an individual or to a department such as HR.

[Adrir]

You should show the same courtesy as you would any other professional. Keep it reasonable, polite and well...professional.

If they provide you with a casual response then you can follow suite.

[Gshonk]

Make sure to be brief and too the point. Most people don't need to hear your life story to answer your question.

Also Adrir is correct stay professional.

[IDesert FoxI]

It is also worth sending them a follow up email if you don't get an answer within a week. Of course the very best thing (from my experience) is not to email at all and phone them up. Emails are very easy to ignore, where as phone calls generally get results (even though sometimes you need to call up two or eight times).

[Gshonk]

Originally Posted by IDesert FoxI

Of course the very best thing (from my experience) is not to email at all and phone them up.

I disagree with this, if you were to call me unannounced I would not appreciate it. And I am one of the most open devs you will meet. An email is less forceful.

[yaustar]

Originally Posted by IDesert FoxI

It is also worth sending them a follow up email if you don't get an answer within a week. Of course the very best thing (from my experience) is not to email at all and phone them up. Emails are very easy to ignore, where as phone calls generally get results (even though sometimes you need to call up two or eight times).

If I was enquiring about a job, yes I would do that. However, if you were trying to contact an individual developer for something such as an school project interview, do not call if your email is ignored as it is incredibly rude unless you have a prior agreement.

[IDesert FoxI]

I would usually go through a press office upon phoning for the interview, that is what I meant sorry. Yeah, phoning a personal office number would be rude

[Ziriux]

As all three great moderators have said, stay professional, tell them what you are writing to them about.

First off I hope you're part of the GamesPress database where you get all the developer and publisher info, that helps.

Now here is an example of what I write to them and it hasn't failed me yet, and that's because I've been in videogame journalism for some time, but here we go.

"Hi Jason,

My name is Joe Nachio and I'm the Editor in Chief over at somegamingsite.com. I'm contacting you in regards to to an interview I'd like to do with you. I would like our readers to know a little bit more about you and the product you are working on. I understand you are releasing Leisure Suit Larry next week, and I'd love to get the word out about the game. Would you be open to some questions so are readers can see what your product is going to bring?

Please get back to me at your convenience.

Best,
Joe N.
Somegamingsite.com"

Bam! That right there works for me every time. Of course it's about midnight over here and I didn't write the best I could there, but that's the general idea. I hope that helps mate. Also read what all the moderators have said.