Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, departures, and promotions in the video‑game sector can be a daunting task. To make it easier for readers, we regularly gather these personnel changes into concise round‑ups. If you know of any recent appointments or transitions that belong in this list, please forward the name of the individual, the new position, the company, as well as the previous role and employer to newhires@gamesindustry.biz.
Amir Satvat has taken on the role of general partner at 1Up Ventures. Prior to this, he worked as the business‑development director for Tencent Games, where he helped shape the publisher’s expansion strategies across multiple regions. Satvat also founded and runs Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an initiative designed to help job seekers locate opportunities within the gaming industry. In his own words, “I wanted a more direct link between the things I could influence and a team that could actually get people back to work.
I wanted to see more developers’ dreams become reality because of something I did. I also hoped to work in a setting that focuses on smaller studios, because I love games of that size so much, and in a setting built around community first.” He continued, “My final wish was to work with colleagues who share the same values and integrity I try to hold myself to. In accepting the team’s invitation to join 1Up, I am seeing all of these wishes realised.” Satvat also praised 1Up’s unique position in the ecosystem, stating, “1Up is a very important player in the games ecosystem, and I want to see its unique approach to games investing survive for as long as possible.” His move underscores a broader trend of seasoned industry veterans gravitating toward venture firms that specialize in nurturing indie and mid‑size developers.
Housemarque co‑founder and managing director Ilari Kuittinen announced his departure after an impressive 31‑year tenure. Kuittinen co‑established Housemarque in 1995 alongside Harri Tikkanen after merging their respective studios, Bloodhouse and Terramarque. Reflecting on his career, Kuittinen said, “Looking back, I feel immensely fortunate.
We had the luck of being in the right place at the right time during three decades of incredible industry growth, allowing us to stay fiercely independent for 26 years before finding a home within the PlayStation Studios family.” He added that the leadership transition had been meticulously planned: “On July 1, Sami ‘Haxu’ Hakala officially stepped into the managing director role, and I have continued supporting him and the leadership team until today to ensure complete operational continuity and stability. Housemarque’s strategy and creative vision are in exceptional hands.” Kuittinen’s exit marks the end of an era for a studio known for its high‑octane arcade titles and technical prowess, but it also signals confidence in the next generation of leadership. Tamara Feiman has been appointed 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 rose to publishing general manager. “I joined Lion six years ago,” she said.
“Since then, I’ve had the privilege of growing alongside the company through its biggest successes, challenges and transformations. What has always made Lion special is how we work with our partner studios.
Together, we’ve taken risks, learned quickly and turned great ideas into games played by millions.” Feiman emphasized the collaborative culture that defines Lion: “Lion has never been about one person. I’m fortunate to work alongside an incredible team across publishing, growth, product, engineering and market intelligence, as well as our talented studio partners around the world.” Her promotion reflects Lion’s commitment to internal talent development and its ambition to expand its global footprint while maintaining a studio‑first philosophy. In other personnel news, Heather Sangria has been hired as community manager for Sega of America.
Sangria previously worked as a contract social strategist and community lead at One More Game and held a digital‑strategy and community‑manager position at Undead Labs. Her experience in fostering player engagement and building brand loyalty is expected to strengthen Sega’s outreach in North America. Activision Blizzard announced two internal promotions within its flagship Call of Duty franchise. Emily Rose Chen has been elevated to senior product manager, having joined the company as a financial analyst in 2020 before moving into product management.
Her analytical background and product expertise position her to guide future updates and live‑service initiatives. Similarly, Scot McCarron has been promoted to senior director of product management for Call of Duty.
McCarron entered Activision in 2018 as a product‑marketing manager for emerging franchises and later served as director of product management on Call of Duty. In his new role, he will oversee broader strategic decisions, coordinate cross‑functional teams, and help shape the long‑term roadmap for the franchise. These announcements collectively illustrate the dynamic nature of talent movement within the gaming sector. Veteran leaders are transitioning to venture roles to support indie growth, long‑standing founders are passing the torch to the next generation, and internal talent is being rewarded with greater responsibility.
As studios continue to navigate rapid technological change, evolving player expectations, and shifting market conditions, the importance of strong, visionary leadership cannot be overstated. The industry’s future will be defined not only by the games themselves but also by the people who steer companies toward sustainable innovation and community‑focused growth.