Alanah Pearce joins Sony Santa Monica

Pearce announced on Twitter that she was joining the studio as a Video Game Writer

[-Foxtrot]

I’ve seen some of her “takes” on Twitter...and some of the controversies around her. Yeah...good luck Sony.

Little unfair to get a job because your super good friends with Barlog and his wife.

[phoenixwing]

A good portion of getting ahead in creative industries is knowing the right person. networking is important. Wish someone had told me that back when I was going to school.

edit: I can't find anything about her past where she's actually written content for a fictional story... unless she was a writer for rooster teeth content (halo skits) when she was younger. anybody help me out and know what her body of work is?

[-Foxtrot]

I guess but still all those actual writers out there who have taken Media Production or Script Writing hoping to get a job in something they went to University for only to loose out to someone who was a video game journalist originally

[ABizzel1]

@Foxtrot

Welcome to the real world, where simply being the best or better than everyone else in your field doesn't guarantee you an ideal position that you more than likely deserve, because somewhere higher up a chain of in-group favoritism and alliances will almost ALWAYS bring their "next in line" employee over the more qualified candidate.

I've personally have been victimized by this ignorant mentality that generally ends up hurting the business. I had worked for a company for around 5 years and in less than 2 years I made it from Consultant, to Assistant Manager, to Manager. As a manger I had an undeniable performance record across 3 years the majority of the time being the best performing team under our Market Manager (out of 30 other teams), and consistently in the top 10 no less than top 20 under our Regional Manager (covers 4 states and over 100 teams). I won so many awards and was nominated by practically all of my teams as for performance and recognition awards that there was no denying I was easily the best manager in our market, if not the best manager in our entire region.

Yet I had to watch as people with 50% of my performance metrics get promoted to positions I applied for, deal with a district manager who constantly blocked my attempts at moving up by literally calling other DMs and recommending other candidates above me because they were her favorites, I won awards for the best performing manager in our Market two years back to back, I also would have won that award my first year but I was moved from my original area to a larger and lesser performing area in August and the area I managed for most of the year ranked 1st and the area I was moved to which was around 15/30 ended up being number 2, and this same district manager told me she wasn't going to recognize me because she didn't want me to get a big head, and if my team went a single day without hitting our goal she'd be on our heads asking if she has the right people in charge meanwhile our overall performance is still over 90% on a goal of 100% while other teams are being allowed to skate by at 60% / 70% / and 80%.

Simply put Life isn't fair, and People can make it worse.

I don't know Alanah or her creative writing experience, so I cannot speak on her and this position per say, but I would hope that she is qualified for the position and brings something noteworthy to the company.

[dumahim]

@-Foxtrot
Just because someone takes classes doesn't make them a quality employee. Just because she knows someone doesn't mean they won't be a good fit for the job,

[NecrumOddBoy]

She is another former-shill in the echo chamber of San Fran elitist games journalism. She did pet projects and was also on IGN for awhile. I don't personally think she is even 1% as bad as Kallie Plague, Greg Miller, Max Scoville, or Janet Garcia in the "I'm anti-racist and super woke" crew but who knows if she would benefit PlayStation. I would assume she could do some marketing and interface with the Twitter crowd. Sony is trying to put younger faces and celebrities on their products now so maybe this is part of it. I still think it's cool to see Miyamoto and Shu on the stages being goofy. Maybe this is just the new direction.

https://roosterteeth.fandom...

[Godmars290]

"A good portion of getting ahead in creative industries is knowing the right person."

Not seeing "talent" anywhere...

[DreadfulHero]

I think she was more in charge of editorial content for Inside Gaming for awhile, and was just a regular "talking head" for Funhaus for awhile. I think the plan originally for her at Funhaus was going to be to be more editorializing for gaming related news shows Funhaus planned on doing before Rooster Teeth acquired Inside Gaming. But then that happened and Funhaus shifted away from those plans, and she handled more of the gaming stuff there while just screwing around (and editing video content) at Funhaus.

[UltraNova]

I've seen a couple of her YT videos and tweets. She super feministic in her views and pro-xbox IMHO. I have no issues with eithe, as long as she can be professional. Cory is a smart, down to earth guy so I'm hopping he knows what he is doing by hiring her as a writer.

[boing1]

I work in game industry for way over 15 years now and I have a lot of friends in plenty of different game dev companies, small and major. I changed workplace at least 4 times in my career and every job I got was thanks to knowing someone that worked with me before, and wants to work with me again. I have no special school nor am I a genius, I just make people enjoy working with me. This trick works wonders for me. Never had a normal interview. Ever.

[FanboysKiller]

@ABizzel1
That's why people choose technical majors over other "bs" majors cause they know every effort they put into this field is fruitful .

[Keltech]

There's this saying I heard in the 90's

"It's Not what you know, it's Who you know"

[TGG_overlord]

MEA v2.0 in the making...

[Baza]

Unfair? Since when has this world been fair? Opportunity and knowing the right people will get you many things

[-Foxtrot]

It is unfair but is that the attitude to have though? The world is unfair because we let it be like that and use the "the world isn't fair excuse".

It's not wrong to want people who have studied for a certain future job in University only to have people jump from one industry to the one because they know someone, it's almost the same as nepotism in Hollywood when most of the children of big movie stars or directors get to have the same jobs as their parents despite having no skills. It's unfair as that's "just how the world is" but it doesn't make it right.

[RauLeCreuset]

"Good luck Sony"

Stop it. You have your own "takes" that don't make the fact that you posted this as the first comment surprising. I think Sony and SSM are going to be fine, and if not, it won't be because they hired someone with writing experience to contribute "the tiniest little hand (seriously, very small, I am just a junior ok)."

[gamer7804]

A lot of Hollywood and gaming is all who you know, and not related to qualifications. Surely much more qualified writers with experience than her. But it is a junior level position. My guess is she’ll end up doing other things in the company or leave after a couple years.

[Christopher]

As long as she's not public, she should be fine. But, yeah, she's extremely aggressive sometimes. She gives gaming trolls a run for their money that is worth watching sometimes, though.

[Atticus_finch]

So Cory knows her and hired her and you're mad because you think you know her better.
Stop embarrassing yourself.

[Flewid638]

You act like she isnt qualified. Like she works as a welder or something. lmao.

[Dawknight316]

"Little unfair to get a job because your super good friends with Barlog and his wife."

LMFAOOOOO. This is how you get jobs, by networking.

[moomoo319]

Ay man ive seen u posting on here for many years, but this makes you sound like you've never had a job or lived in the real world haha.

[tontontam0]

"1) Don’t be an utter ass, you don’t know me

2) I’ve worked two jobs after Uni, lost one now because of COVID

So just...just don’t"

Lol he throws stones at somebody, then gets offended big time when someone throws it back to him.

[stupidusername]

Honestly?
If she’s a good writer and has proven to be a ambitious worker and a good person – why wouldn’t they hire her. Networking is important and if you’re a boss you’d rather hire someone who have proven their worth to you both as a worker and a good person rather than someone you’ve only met on two interviews straight from school. That’s why the entertainment business is hard in general. There’s few jobs, high risks and a ton of talent, networking is the key to get ahead.

[CaptainObvious878]

A lot of people sure are getting upset and defensive at Fox's comment. Might it have anything to do with Allanah being a relatively attractive female?

[stupidusername]

It might have something to do with him accusing a person he don’t know for only getting a job because they know someone and not because they’re good at what they do.
Do you believe all people who defend any female are simps/sjws/incels? I don’t get your thought pattern.

[generic-user-name]

Bad "take" right here. She's been writing for a while (short stories and whatnot) but hasn't put that aspect of her life out in public until now. This job, as just a junior writer, is what she's been working towards throughout her career.

Did being Barlog's friend hurt? Most likely not but I'm sure Barlog has a lot of friends who'd love to work at SSM. Really unfair of you to dismiss her (or anyone's) ability without really knowing her outside of some tweets.

[DarXyde]

It's always been a game of networking (hence, "it's not what you know, it's who you know").

I don't think this is a good idea, but I guess we'll see. Maybe she'll have donating constructive to contribute, but as long as the reins are there and she's not allowed to run wild, pretending to be the boss's kid, there's possibly merit to her contributions.

Time will tell, but I'm not particularly hopeful.

[GoodGuy09]

Having connections and good relationships with them is quite the benefit in this world we live in after all. Well...I guess we'll just see how she does I suppose...

[DreadfulHero]

It is a little bit of gaming world "nepotism" for sure, but it's not like she's starting off as lead writer for God of War Ragnarok. On her Youtube video she's plainly states it's an entry level junior writing position, which means she still has to answer to a lot of other people.

Plus, there's a lot of game writers who started off writing ABOUT games before making them: Gary Whitta wrote for PC World (or PC Gamer?) in the 1990s before writing The Book of Eli, Rogue One, and... After Earth. But he also had a hand in season one of Telltale's The Walking Dead. Greg Kasavin wrote for Gamespot and he's one of the founders of Supergiant Games, one of my current favorite game studios out there right now. There have been plenty of others, too.

[F0XH0UND922]

*you're*

Foxtrot also learns what "connections" are. Crazy right?

[dcbronco]

You people that still think your permission slips mean something are delusional. People like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel are killing the idea of degrees meaning anything. And a ton of other super rich are moving in the same direction. Neither SpaceX or Tesla requires a degree and they are working on things as hard as hard gets. They've talked to John Carmack about joining SpaceX and he taught himself aerospace engineering. Smart people are smart people. If you need college you're mostly going to be average at what you do. If college is a formality for you you most likely are truly talented. High school kids invent things well educated people spend years working on. And for centuries the "educated" have fought against the ideas of people they thought were leaders. Einstein couldn't get a job out of college because he was busy thinking during class instead of feeding into their bull. He conceived things that we weren't able to prove until recently. If someone came to a track coach and said I want to be a sprinter and runs a 4.34 forty no one is going to require him to take a sprinting class. People need to learn to acknowledge natural gifts unless proven otherwise. For other impressed with degrees look up this guy.

Srinivasa Ramanujan

He was uneducated and put a ton of the smartest people on the planet to shame.

[gold_drake]

unfair? sure. but we all wouldnt let the chance pass us by just because its "unfair". we only have this one life. you better make the most out of it.

about the girl tho, ive only read about the sexual harassment things surrounding her, no clue on who she is otherwise.

[Daeloki]

But you're somehow qualified to judge her based on "some of her “takes” on Twitter...and some of the controversies around her."?

"Little unfair to get a job because your super good friends with Barlog and his wife."
This is how networking works though, you get opportunities based on who you know and how well you know them. Don't you think Barlog knows what position he is in and what's at stake? Do you honestly think he would hire/recommend someone to work on something as huge as GoW just because they're good friends?

Honestly man, your entire comment just comes off as salty and petty. Especially if you're that bothered by her takes on Twitter...

[NeodeosX]

She has a degree in writing, and she's been creating, consolidating these relations in this industry by herself. So yeah, get over it. She fought for that job and deserved it.

[RazzerRedux]

Would you turn down a job because a "super good friend" helped you get it?

[RauLeCreuset]

Assuming that was the case. Foxtrot talks and vaults to conclusions with such righteously indignant aplomb as to give the impression he first bothered to verify the veracity of his allegations.

[Spenok]

So just a quick heads up, one of your comments below says that she took the job away from someone who went to school for writing, and she only got the job because she's friends with the studio head.

Well, she has a writing degree.

Just an FYI.

[zsquaresoff]

I always thought of her as an Xbox fangirl so this comes as a surprise. Best of luck to her on her new job.

[Ausbo]

She used to work at Xbox In Australia I believe, but she’s always been positive towards both consoles

[Challengerscatpack]

Believe it or not, there are adults in this world who don’t actually have obsessive ties to plastic boxes... with that said, it’s a job, money talks.

[Mr Pumblechook]

I used to follow some of the stuff she did at IGN. When the Harvey Weinstein story was getting big she was tweeting almost every day about different instances related to it and that women should stand up to predators. Then there was a story about a former IGN writer, Kallie Plagge, wrote on twitter how an ex IGN male member of staff made advances to her, which she didn't like but she felt it was sexual harassment, however she had previously behaved inappropriately to the man. At the time IGN's HR investigated and deemed it to not be sexual harassment and felt it was related to a grudge. So when Alanah Pearce found out she instigated the other staff into a strike at IGN. But after management wasn't happy with her. And she later had a huge falling out with Marty Silva, the details are not known. But many staff from IGN unfollowed him and I have heard that she complained about him for something I know he got into an awful state but has returned okay. Plagge has also been involved in other incidents but others have said Alanah Pearce used Plagge's plight opportunistically. Just because she hasn't written anything before it doesn't mean she got the job because she's close friends with Cory Balrog and his wife. It's a great opportunity and I wish her well.

https://www.mcvuk.com/busin...
https://kotaku.com/ign-empl...

Would you like to see her help on God of War Ragnarok to remove the toxic masculinity?

[phoenixwing]

She's too late to ruin ragnorak but she'll probably ruin what comes after

[generic-user-name]

"So when Alanah Pearce found out she instigated the other staff into a strike at IGN."

Neither of you links prove this claim.

"and I have heard that she complained about him for something I know he got into an awful state but has returned okay."

Literal hearsay, but even if it's true, is there any evidence that Sliva didn't deserve the complaint?

"others have said Alanah Pearce used Plagge's plight opportunistically."

Who?

I'm all for calling someone out for their BS, but you need more than baseless accusations as proof.

[East76lands]

Sadly we live in a world where it's ok for a female to use her womanly charms to get ahead in life but also has the power to destroy a life with those same charms.

[mechlord]

what's toxic about GoW, i wonder

[Mr Pumblechook]

@generic-user-name. Alanah Pearce has directly spoken why it was important to her to lead the strike, it's not my job to give you a map because you aren't informed on this topic.

The fact that you say 'is there any evidence that Sliva didn't deserve the complaint?' means the information is news to you yet you've decided to take sides, why? Because she is a woman and you feel she is weak and you want to save her? What's disappointing is that you believe you are an internet white knight leaping to her defence, but she doesn't need you to speak for her, she is an independent woman and your actions, although good-intentioned, are highly misogynistic.

This is an N4G comments section, not a court so I don't need to provide you with evidence when the information is available. Next time you want to engage in us versus them squabbles go to ResetEra. I haven't got time for people who want to initiate fights.

[East76lands]

She's a fan of wherever the money is, I highly doubt she cares one bit for either piece of plastic.

[Hellcat2020]

She's the dullest game journalist out there

[Si-Fly]

What’s Good Games could give her a good challenge for that title.

[NecrumOddBoy]

I guess you don't listen to IGN anymore. Game Scoop is still good minus the need to put Tina Amini on the how (who constantly talks like she is falling asleep on CBD). Beyond Podcast is horrid and some of the worst cast members. Plus, everything Gamespot does is 1/10. Kinda Funny Game is another cesspool of childish dullness.

[BigBosss]

Never been a fan of hers, all the best wishes regardless.

[lukasmain]

What experience does she have writing game narrative? Maybe she'll be writing everyone's lunch orders LOL. I'm not feeling this hiring, but good luck to her anyway.

[Ausbo]

Game journalists have went on to become writers at video game studios before. It’s nothing new. Also, it’s not like she’s become “lead writer”, she describes her role as a “junior” role

[aconnellan]

Apparently she has a lot of unpublished creative writing under her belt, which I imagine would have come up in the interview - you don’t get in the door for an interview at a studio like Sony Santa Monica without proving you have some writing skill

[Silly gameAr]

Don't really know who she is, so I can't say I'm excited or disappointed.

[Mr_Luke]

I have no idea of who this girl is (and to be honest i don't care), i just hope she's a good addition and good luck with her new job.
From a first look at her tho, she doesn't seem someone good at writing game narrative, she seems more one of those youtubers or social girls. But, as they say, you can't judge a book from its cover! ;) She could be one of the best writers, who knows...

[Shane Kim]

Isn't that the whole point of covers? So you can judge them before spending time reading it?

[generic-user-name]

"From a first look at her tho, she doesn't seem someone good at writing game narrative"

Shake My Damn Head

[stupidusername]

Lol, what the heck

[spambot0815]

kratos dead lol ;-)

[Christopher]

Well, eventually, yeah...

[ziggurcat]

Kratos IS dead

https://frinkiac.com/img/S1...

[drunkenspy007]

who?

[Bruh]

Her writing skills are mediocre to average at best. She was one of the worst editors at IGN, but keep saying how she's gonna bring GOTY tier writing to SSM lmfao

[StoneyYoshi]

She cant be as bad as the ones from IGN who have plagiarized... At least she wrote her own stuff.

[PapaShuffler]

Oh yeah?! Here's a gem from her..
https://n4g.com/news/203308...

[StoneyYoshi]

@PapaShuffler

OK thanks for that, but what is this supposed to tell me? That she's a bad writer? Didn't realize this defines her capabilities of being a writer. 🙄 Unless that was plagiarism, this is still not as bad as what I stated before. But honestly I just don't really even care.... to each their own. So congrats to her new career path and hope for the best.

[SmokinAces]

Alanah who? I'm I supposed to know who this is?

[Mr_Luke]

Shhh! :O Don't ask or people here will jump at your neck and tell you that you must go around and inform yourself (already started with the downvotes). Or at least that happened to me :(

[StoneyYoshi]

I mean, SmokinAces could have easily typed his comment into google instead and gotten an answer to the question. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[waverider]

I really dont understand this! Writter? whats her background? What have she write?

[RazzerRedux]

"junior writer"

[nickanasty206]

Good for Alanah! She works her ass off as a Content Creator and i imagine she will do the same at Santa Monica. Her hard work and connections in the industry have definitely worked to her advantage and i'm nothing but excited for her. Can you imagine working your ass off for so many years to finally achieve your dream job? Can only be happy for her and excited to see how this new role plays out. Shes been making moves in the industry for quite some time (IGN, Rooster Teeth and now Sony Santa Monica), and I must say her ambitious nature is only going to take her wherever she wants to go in the industry!

[bangoskank]

Every place of work favors nepotism over talent. That is a fact of life. This is the same person who bitched through the entire Abbie section during her TLOU 2 playthrough because she didn't get the story she wanted. Sounds promising.

[StoneyYoshi]

So because she didn't like the second half of TLOU2 she doesn't deserve a job at a Sony studio?

[bangoskank]

She has no experience writing games and does not convey a capacity to think beyond normal conventions. That's not what games, movies, or any other storytelling industries need.

[lockedongamer1]

So more of her bad dry humor? Great!

[NotanotherReboot]

i would love to see a female reboot of God of War - Godess of War, it just fits so well and would be epic

[Limitedtimestruggle]

Never heard of her, but cool beans I guess!

[shammgod]

Who?

[ajax17]

definitely a huge step up from the sinking ship that is rooster teeth

[Petebloodyonion]

So one of the voice of Gears of war will join the team of God of War :)
I wish her the best, she seems like a decent person on her Youtube channel and she seems to have passion for the art so let's see what she can cook with Santa Monica :)

[nibblo]

i didn't even know she was a game writer

[Christopher]

That's like what she's been doing the last 5 or so years? I mean, she hasn't been doing anything else, AFAIK.

[nibblo]

I thought she was a YouTube personality and games "journalist", what games has she written for?

[Blaze929]

Not a fan of hers. At all.

[Knightofelemia]

I don't even know who the hell she is or what she does

[Pughski]

Good for her! She deserves it

[Vanfernal]

"Hi everyone. I’m finally allowed to announce my new job... as a video game writer at @SonySantaMonica, who you probably as the studio who make God of War. I am so, SO proud to be a part of this incredible team 😭❤️."

"Who you probably as"? Maybe it might be wise to proof read the tweet announcing your new job as a writer... 😆

[MatrixxGT]

And I thought I was only one who caught that.

[SmokinAces]

LOL, well she's off to a good start.

[badboyz09]

who is she?

[smashman98]

I really like Alanah. I'm really happy that she got a job at SSM. But she isn't what I would call a prominent figure and the position is a Junior Writing position. If that qualifies as gaming news then it qualifies ever so loosely.

[Miraak82]

Been following her for a few years now. She's done alot of game journalism . Worked at Ign and faunhas and has done of VO for games like gears and is gonna be in Cyberpunk too . She's cool peeps and she loves what she does and as I've seen always tries to be professional at her work . Good for her

[MatrixxGT]

She definitely loves the video game industry and has passion and drive. I can’t get on board with her SJW outburst she has from time to time though.

[AriesBear]

No one's asking you to

[ConsoleAgnostic]

Man... Most of you are haters...Pathetic. Wish her luck and hope she does a great job. Doesn't matter how someone gets a job, what matters is the work they do when they work there. I have much respect for Sony Santa Monica and they know how to run a studio. I am looking forward to her contributions.

[mastershredder]

Part of a Team of Writers....so you are part of the ‘no full original ideas’ crew, just the ones the teams collectively approve for the greater good while exhausting their new resource.. Mmm hmm, that is like getting super excited about joining a cult that you only know superficially (and is about to eat you). Give her a couple years, if she’s wise she’ll break departments or leave.

[Saviior95]

Connections and contacts are everything in not just the gaming world, but business in general - it's not what you know, it's who you know - which isn't a bad thing. Someone who can write incredible creative content, but not market themselves and said content is not going to get the job over someone who can market themselves well. Best of luck to her, great step in her career.

[leejohnson222]

This cant end well, its clear she is easily bought and just controlled by who ever she works for

[KingofBandits]

Who? So long as she doesnt write sarkesian approved drivel and try and ruin God of War then great for her landing a job most of us would love to have. That said the cringe of social media "stars" is still well cringe

[Arty84]

and?

[BoneMagnus]

I remember when she was on IGN. She was decent. Generally, her analyses were more in depth than the others. I have no idea about her story writing skills, and I didn’t follow her when she left IGN.

I googled her, and it looks like she’s gone the Instagram model route. Looks like she’s hit the gym hard and is posting revealing pics. - She looks good, but a definite change from the “cute gaming nerd” that she was on IGN.

[justsomeoffdude]

oh no....

[Dirtnapstor]

Good for her! I loosely follow her on YT, and can see this working out for her.

[S2Killinit]

Who decides what is fair or not. I admit I know nothing about who this person is, but i feel like EVERYONE these days has an opinion about EVERYTHING. Especially if they think they know a person. Its too much guys, the world is a complex place and you cant just generalize people into neat little stereotypes for familiarity sake.

[Bender6502]

I'm just pleased we are not subjected to every single comings and goings of staff from one organisation to another. Good luck to her, I mean that. But exactly why did we need to know this again?

@ABizzel1
Sometimes, companies like to keep the best people doing exactly what they are best at. From what you are saying you did a really good job. I was in a similar position at one point until I offered my company an ultimatum. Move me up or I ship out...I got a much better job shortly afterwards!
Working with a new company:)

[darklaw]

It's not what you know. it's who you know. This applies to everyone.

[Terry_B]

Who is she?