Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, departures, and role changes across the video‑game sector can be a real challenge. That’s why we gather the most noteworthy personnel moves into periodic round‑ups for easy reference. If your organization has recent appointments or transitions that you think belong in this list, please forward the name of the individual, the new position and 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, Satvat was the Business Development Director at Tencent Games, where he oversaw strategic partnerships and market expansion initiatives. In addition to his corporate experience, he founded and leads Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an initiative dedicated to helping job seekers find opportunities within the gaming industry. "I wanted a more immediate link between the actions I could 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 turn more developers' dreams of creating games into reality through my own contributions.
I was also drawn to a setting that focuses on smaller studios, because I have a genuine passion for games of that scale, and I value a community‑first environment." He continued, "My final aspiration was to collaborate with colleagues who share the same values and integrity that I hold myself to. Accepting 1Up’s invitation feels like all of those wishes are finally coming together." Satvat added, "1Up is a pivotal player in the broader games ecosystem, and I want to ensure 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 co‑established Housemarque in 1995 alongside Harri Tikkanen, following the merger of their respective studios, Bloodhouse and Terramarque.
"Reflecting on the journey, I feel incredibly fortunate," Kuittinen said. "We were in the right place at the right time throughout three decades of remarkable industry growth, which allowed us to stay fiercely independent for 26 years before ultimately joining the PlayStation Studios family." He noted that the leadership transition had been meticulously 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 rest of the leadership team to guarantee seamless operational continuity and stability. Housemarque’s strategic direction and creative vision are now in excellent hands." Tamara Feiman has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Lion Studios, the publishing arm of Tripledot Studios. Feiman previously served as Publishing General Manager and began her career at Lion Studios in 2020 as the EMEA Business Development Lead.
"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 enjoyed by millions." "Lion has never been about any single individual. I’m fortunate to work with an outstanding team across publishing, growth, product, engineering, and market intelligence, as well as with talented studio partners around the globe," she added. Additional personnel updates include Heather Sangria, who has been appointed 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 management 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 as a financial analyst in 2020 and later transitioned into product management, where she has driven several key initiatives. Scot McCarron has also been elevated, now serving as Senior Director of Product Management for Call of Duty at Activision Blizzard.
McCarron started at Activision in 2018 as a Product Marketing Manager for emerging franchises and subsequently advanced to Director of Product Management on the Call of Duty team before receiving his latest promotion. These movements illustrate the dynamic nature of talent within the gaming industry, where seasoned veterans and rising stars alike continue to shape the future of interactive entertainment. The blend of strategic hires, internal promotions, and leadership transitions underscores the sector’s ongoing evolution and the importance of aligning personnel decisions with broader business objectives and community values.