Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, promotions, and departures in the video‑game sector can be a real challenge. That’s why we publish periodic round‑ups that collect all the noteworthy personnel changes in one place. If you know of any recent appointments or transitions that belong in this list, please forward the name of the individual, their new title and company, as well as their previous role and employer to newhires@gamesindustry.biz.
Amir Satvat has taken on the role of general partner at 1Up Ventures. Prior to this move, Satvat spent several years at Tencent Games where he was the director of business development, overseeing partnership negotiations and market expansion initiatives.
He is also the founder and driving force behind Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an organization dedicated to helping professionals locate new opportunities within the gaming industry. "I wanted a role where I could see a direct line between the actions I take and the impact on a team, especially when it comes to getting people back to work," Satvat explained. "My goal has always been to help turn more developers' dreams of creating games into reality.
I was also drawn to a setting that focuses on smaller studios, because I have a deep affection for indie‑scale projects and a community‑first philosophy." He continued, "My final wish was to collaborate with colleagues who share the same values and integrity that I strive for. Accepting the invitation to join 1Up feels like all those wishes are finally coming together." Satvat added a broader industry perspective: "1Up plays a vital role in the gaming ecosystem, and I am committed to ensuring its distinctive approach to game investment endures for as long as possible." In other news, Ilari Kuittinen, co‑founder and managing director of Housemarque, has stepped down after an impressive 31‑year tenure. Kuittinen launched Housemarque in 1995 together with Harri Tikkanen, following the merger of their earlier studios Bloodhouse and Terramarque. Reflecting on his career, Kuittinen said, "Looking back, I feel immensely fortunate.
We were in the right place at the right time during three decades of extraordinary industry growth, which allowed us to remain fiercely independent for 26 years before joining the PlayStation Studios family." He also noted the careful planning behind the leadership change: "We have been preparing this transition behind the scenes for some time. On July 1, Sami ‘Haxu’ Hakala officially assumed the managing‑director role, and I have continued to support him and the rest of the leadership team to guarantee operational continuity and stability. Housemarque’s strategic direction and creative vision are now in excellent hands." Tamara Feiman has been promoted to chief executive officer of Lion Studios, the publishing arm of Tripledot Studios. Feiman’s journey with Lion began in 2020 when she joined as the EMEA business‑development lead and later advanced to publishing general manager.
"I joined Lion six years ago," Feiman remarked. "Since then, I’ve had the privilege of growing alongside the company through its biggest successes, challenges, and transformations.
What has always set Lion apart is the way we collaborate with our partner studios. Together we’ve taken risks, learned quickly, and turned great ideas into games that are played by millions." She emphasized the collaborative nature of the organization: "Lion has never been about any single individual. I’m fortunate to work with an incredible team across publishing, growth, product, engineering, and market intelligence, as well as our talented studio partners around the world." Additional personnel updates include Heather Sangria, who has been appointed community manager at Sega of America. Sangria previously worked as a contract social‑strategy consultant and community lead at One More Game, and before that she held a digital‑strategy and community‑manager role at Undead Labs.
Emily Rose Chen has earned a promotion to senior product manager for the Call of Duty franchise at Activision Blizzard. Chen originally joined the company in 2020 as a financial analyst, later moving into product management before rising to the senior position. Similarly, Scot McCarron has been elevated to senior director of product management for Call of Duty at Activision Blizzard.
McCarron entered Activision in 2018 as a product‑marketing manager for emerging franchises, progressed to director of product management on the Call of Duty line, and now assumes a senior director role. These moves illustrate the dynamic nature of talent flow within the gaming sector, highlighting both the emergence of new leadership and the continued growth of established professionals. The industry thrives on fresh perspectives, community‑focused initiatives, and the steady advancement of individuals who have demonstrated both strategic insight and a passion for gaming culture. As studios and investors alike adapt to evolving market conditions, the importance of strong, values‑driven leadership becomes ever more apparent, ensuring that the next wave of games continues to delight players worldwide.