Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, departures, and role changes across the video‑game sector can be a daunting task. That’s why we gather the most notable personnel movements into periodic round‑ups, giving readers a single place to catch up on who’s joining, who’s leaving, and who’s shifting responsibilities within the industry.
If your organization has experienced a noteworthy appointment or transition that you think belongs in this list, please forward the name of the individual, the new title, the company they are joining, 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, he spent several years as Business Development Director at Tencent Games, where he was responsible for forging strategic partnerships and expanding the publisher’s reach into new markets. In addition to his corporate experience, Satvat founded and runs the initiative "Always Supporting the Games Community" (ASGC), a platform dedicated to helping job‑seekers navigate career opportunities within the gaming ecosystem.
"I wanted a position where the impact of my decisions would be felt directly by a team and, ultimately, by the people looking for work in games," Satvat explained. "My goal has always been to help turn more developers' dreams of creating games into reality.
I also wanted to work in an environment that champions smaller studios, because I have a deep affection for indie‑scale projects and a community‑first mindset." He continued, "My final ambition was to collaborate with colleagues who share the same values and integrity that I hold dear. Accepting 1Up's invitation feels like a convergence of all those aspirations." Satvat also praised 1Up Ventures, noting, "The firm plays a crucial role in the broader games ecosystem, and I hope its distinctive approach to investing in creators endures for many years to come." In other news, Ilari Kuittinen, co‑founder and Managing Director of Housemarque, has stepped down after an impressive 31‑year tenure. Kuittinen co‑established Housemarque in 1995 together with Harri Tikkanen, following the merger of their earlier studios Bloodhouse and Terramarque. Under their leadership, Housemarque grew from a modest Finnish developer into a globally recognized studio known for titles such as "Resogun" and "Returnal." Reflecting on his career, Kuittinen said, "Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate.
We were in the right place at the right time across three decades of explosive industry growth, which allowed us to remain fiercely independent for 26 years before becoming part of PlayStation Studios." He added, "The leadership transition has been carefully planned behind the scenes. On July 1, Sami ‘Haxu’ Hakala officially assumed the Managing Director role, and I have continued to support him and the broader leadership team to ensure seamless operational continuity. 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, later moving into the role of Publishing General Manager. Over the past six years, she has overseen the launch of numerous successful titles, navigated periods of rapid growth, and guided the company through several strategic pivots. "I joined Lion six years ago," Feiman said.
"Since then, I’ve had the privilege of growing alongside the company through its biggest successes, challenges, and transformations. What makes Lion special is the way we collaborate with our partner studios. Together we’ve taken risks, learned quickly, and turned great ideas into games enjoyed by millions." She emphasized the collective 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 moves include Heather Sangria joining Sega of America as Community Manager.
Sangria previously worked as a contract social strategist and community lead at One More Game, and she also held a digital strategy and community management role at Undead Labs, where she helped build engaged player communities around titles like "State of Decay." At Activision Blizzard, Emily Rose Chen has been elevated to Senior Product Manager for the Call of Duty franchise. Chen began her career at Activision in 2020 as a financial analyst, later transitioning to product management where she contributed to several key updates and live‑service initiatives for the flagship series.
Similarly, Scot McCarron has been promoted to Senior Director of Product Management for Call of Duty. McCarron joined Activision in 2018 as a Product Marketing Manager focused on emerging franchises, later moving into product management where he oversaw feature roadmaps and cross‑functional delivery for the franchise’s major releases. These appointments and promotions illustrate the dynamic nature of talent movement within the gaming sector, highlighting how experienced professionals continue to shape the future of interactive entertainment through leadership, community building, and product innovation. The industry thrives on such fluidity, with each new role bringing fresh perspectives that drive both creative and commercial success.