Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, departures, and promotions in the video‑game sector can be a real challenge. To make it easier for readers, we put together regular summaries that capture the most noteworthy personnel moves across the industry. If your organization has recently announced a new appointment, a transition, or a departure that you think belongs in one of these round‑ups, please forward the relevant details (name, new role, company, plus previous role and employer) to newhires@gamesindustry.biz.
Amir Satvat has been appointed as a general partner at 1Up Ventures. Prior to this, Satvat spent several years as the business development director for Tencent Games, where he helped shape the company’s strategic partnerships and growth initiatives. In addition to his corporate experience, he founded and leads Always Supporting the Games Community (ASCG), a platform dedicated to helping job seekers find opportunities within the gaming sector.
"I wanted a role where I could see a direct impact on the people I work with and help get more talent back into development," Satvat explained. "My goal has always been to turn more people’s aspirations of creating games into reality, and I felt that a smaller‑studio‑focused environment would let me do that best. I also value a community‑first culture, and 1Up’s ethos aligns perfectly with that vision." He continued, "Joining 1Up feels like a convergence of all the things I’ve been looking for: a team that shares my values, a mission that supports independent creators, and an investment philosophy that prioritises long‑term sustainability.
I’m excited to help preserve and grow 1Up’s distinctive approach to game funding for as long as possible." Housemarque’s co‑founder and managing director, Ilari Kuittinen, announced his departure after an impressive 31‑year tenure at the studio. Kuittinen, together with Harri Tikkanen, launched Housemarque in 1995 after merging their earlier companies, Bloodhouse and Terramarque.
Under their leadership, Housemarque evolved from a modest Finnish developer into a globally recognised studio known for its high‑octane arcade‑style titles. 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 explosive industry growth, which allowed us to stay fiercely independent for 26 years before joining the PlayStation Studios family." He added, "The leadership transition has been carefully planned over many months. 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 ensure a seamless handover.
Housemarque’s strategic direction and creative vision are in excellent hands, and I’m confident the studio will keep delivering innovative experiences." In another significant move, Tamara Feiman has been named 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 rising to publishing general manager. Her deep familiarity with the company’s culture and processes makes her a natural fit for the top role. "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 has always set Lion apart is our collaborative approach with partner studios. Together we’ve taken risks, learned quickly, and turned great ideas into games that reach millions of players." She emphasized the collective nature of Lion’s achievements: "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.
Our shared commitment to creativity and data‑driven publishing will continue to drive us forward under my leadership." Other notable personnel updates include Heather Sangria’s appointment as community manager for Sega of America. Sangria brings experience from her previous roles as a contract social‑strategy consultant and community lead at One More Game, as well as a stint at Undead Labs where she handled digital strategy and community engagement.
Activision Blizzard also announced internal promotions within its Call of Duty franchise. Emily Rose Chen has been elevated to senior product manager, a role she steps into after joining the company as a financial analyst in 2020 and later serving as product manager. Her analytical background and product expertise position her to shape the future of one of the most iconic shooter franchises. Similarly, Scot McCarron has been promoted to senior director of product management for Call of Duty.
McCarron, who originally joined Activision in 2018 as a product marketing manager for emerging franchises, has spent the past several years overseeing product management for Call of Duty, demonstrating a deep understanding of the franchise’s ecosystem and player base. 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. Whether it’s fostering independent studio growth at 1Up Ventures, steering legacy studios like Housemarque through new chapters, or guiding publishing powerhouses such as Lion Studios, each appointment reflects a broader trend toward community‑focused, data‑driven, and creatively ambitious leadership.
The industry remains vibrant, with new opportunities emerging as technology evolves and player expectations shift. As companies prioritize both innovative game design and sustainable business models, the importance of experienced leaders who can bridge creative vision with strategic execution cannot be overstated. The appointments highlighted here underscore a shared commitment across the sector to nurture talent, support independent creators, and deliver compelling experiences to gamers worldwide.