Game writer, journalist, content creator, and unapologetic nerd - Alanah Pearce is on a quest for independence.

Known for her work at PlayStation’s Santa Monica Studio, Alanah kicks off Season 3 of Culture Canvas by sitting down with ARK/8 founder Dimitri van Eetvelde to share her incredible journey from reviewing games on Tumblr and volunteering at a community radio station in Australia, to working her way into the inner sanctum of AAA development at one of the industry’s most iconic studios.

But after nearly a decade in the US, Alanah made a bold move: stepping away from AAA and into something smaller, freer, and more personal. Now, she’s the narrative director on a new indie game, combining everything she’s learned to create something with heart, soul, and fewer creative constraints.