Comments on: Pretentious

By: Thomas Grové

Thomas Grové — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:58:25 +0000

Even if the developer was flippant, the publisher missed out on a business opportunity too. If you can’t work with prima donnas then you probably won’t be very successful in the entertainment industry.

By: Marcello

Marcello — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:42:53 +0000

Perhaps the dev thought it was a joke or something? I mean, why would he ask for his name and company name to be included in the email? Just a guess.

By: David J Edery

David J Edery — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:20:22 +0000

Nic & Marc — you’re right to point out that the publisher’s email could indeed have been written better. Still, the point of the story is: there’s no benefit to replying in an insulting manner. Better to not reply at all if you feel the email doesn’t warrant your respect.

By: Marc-Andre

Marc-Andre — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:15:45 +0000

What’s funny is that I find both characters in your story to be jerks in their own way.

1 – You don’t write business e-mails that look like you just copy-pasted a spam.
2 – You don’t answer back to potential business partners by pointing their faults, or at least you do it with a great deal of diligence.
3 – When you realize you made a mistake, you don’t act like royalty, even if you are.

By: Nic

Nic — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:51:37 +0000

This is indeed a very good advice. In the same way, you shouldn’t drink too much at business oriented parties. You don’t want to do something you will regrets and that people will talk about.

However I have an other take on the story (based on your post only). The developer wanted maybe just to advice the publisher to personalize a bit more his e-mails. Not because the developer deserve it but just because it’s polite. In its form the mail of the publisher could be simply a standard copy paste mail he send to every “hip” developers who prefer informal introduction.
Even when you contact dozens of person in a work day you should always make it personal and so putting the name of the person you contact is the minimum you can do.

By: David J Edery

David J Edery — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 07:46:25 +0000

> Are you sure you’re giving us the whole story, David?

Yes, pretty sure (although I can’t say 100% sure as it didn’t happen to me personally.)

Honestly, it doesn’t surprise me. Take a bunch of people, make them (relatively) “rich” and “famous”, and some of them will ultimately let it go to their heads. This isn’t something unique to indie game developers… it’s a very human failing. One that the rest of us should strive to avoid.

> And by the way, very interesting and useful keynote at the DD Summit.

Thanks! I’m glad you enjoyed it.

By: Radek

Radek — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:43:46 +0000

That’s…surprising. I mean, even if you’re an indie developer who’s staunchly opposed to publishers there’s still nothing to be gained from that kind of a response. Are you sure you’re giving us the whole story, David?

And by the way, very interesting and useful keynote at the DD Summit. I’m glad it was made available online.