Brianna Wu

Brianna Wu, co-founder of the independent video game development studio Giant Spacekat, is recognized for her profound influence within the gaming industry. Stepping into the limelight as the head of development for the game "Revolution 60," released in July 2014, Wu further expanded her reach beyond gaming. Notably, she utilized the streaming service Twitch in 2017 to raise awareness for her congressional campaign, a unique approach at the time. Wu's commentary on women in gaming has been disseminated through various platforms, including blogging and podcasting, positioning her as a vocal advocate in the industry.

Wu's political journey began with her unsuccessful runs for Congress in Massachusetts's 8th congressional district in 2018 and 2020. Despite the outcome, her political pursuits did not cease. In 2020, she co-founded Rebellion PAC, a political action committee dedicated to progressive get-out-the-vote efforts. Her political stances are clear. Wu endorsed the Green New Deal, which aims for the United States to shift to 100 percent renewable energy by 2035. She has also publicly voiced her support for Israel, penning op-eds for The Boston Globe.

Personal experiences have shaped Wu's advocacy work. Being a target of the notorious Gamergate harassment led her to establish a legal defense fund for women similarly targeted. This experience, coupled with the threats she received that required law enforcement involvement and security detail, resulted in a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite this, as of May 2019, Wu and her husband continue their advocacy work under aliases due to ongoing safety concerns. Wu has become a proponent of forgiveness for those who apologize and show growth despite ongoing harassment. Her written opinion pieces on topics such as toxic gamer culture and breaking up tech monopolies in publications such as The Washington Post and The Boston Globe underscore her commitment to advocacy and change.