Meghna Jayanth, a distinguished video game writer, has expressed a preference for working with independent game developers, citing greater creative freedom to explore themes like colonialism, identity, and sexuality. Jayanth, known for her work on the Jules Verne adaptation "80 Days," has recently collaborated with Outerloop Games on "Thirsty Suitors" and is developing "All Rise," a climate action courtroom drama. She moved away from large-scale AAA games after her experience with Guerrilla Games' "Horizon: Zero Dawn," where she feels her input on cultural sensitivity was ultimately sidelined.
Recognizing the challenges faced by indie games in gaining visibility, Jayanth highlighted the difficulty of competing with blockbuster games that have substantial marketing budgets. Despite her successes, Jayanth has faced professional setbacks, such as being disinvited from presenting at the 2023 Golden Joystick Awards after her public commentary on political issues. She has been an outspoken critic of mainstream gaming's foundations, which she believes are rooted in capitalism and colonialist ideologies.
Jayanth's career trajectory reflects her commitment to infusing her personal politics and values into her work, opting to influence the industry on an independent level rather than conforming to the constraints of larger gaming studios.