Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, promotions, and departures in the video‑game sector can be a daunting task. That’s why we put together periodic round‑ups that capture the most noteworthy personnel moves across the industry. If you know of a recent appointment or transition that belongs in this list, please forward the name, new title, company, as well as the previous role and organization to newhires@gamesindustry.biz. Amir Satvat has taken on the role of General Partner at 1Up Ventures.
Before joining the venture firm, Satvat spent several years as Business Development Director at Tencent Games, where he helped shape the company’s publishing and partnership strategies. In addition to his corporate experience, he founded and runs Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), a platform dedicated to helping job‑seekers find positions within the gaming ecosystem. "I wanted a role where the impact of my work could be felt more directly, where I could help people get back into the industry," Satvat explained. "I’ve always wanted to turn more developers' dreams of creating games into reality, and I felt that a smaller‑studio‑focused environment would let me do that.
I also value a community‑first culture, and 1Up’s ethos aligns perfectly with those values." He continued, "My final goal was to collaborate with colleagues who share the same integrity and principles I hold dear. Accepting 1Up’s invitation feels like a convergence of all those aspirations." Satvat also praised the firm’s unique position in the market, noting, "1Up plays a critical role in the gaming ecosystem, and I’m eager to help preserve its distinctive investment approach for as long as possible." In another significant change, 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 by merging their earlier studios, Bloodhouse and Terramarque.
Reflecting on his career, Kuittinen said, "Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate. We were in the right place at the right time throughout three decades of explosive industry growth, which allowed us to remain fiercely independent for 26 years before joining the PlayStation Studios family." He added that the leadership handover had been meticulously planned.
"On July 1, Sami ‘Haxu’ Hakala officially assumed the Managing Director position. I have continued to support him and the rest of the leadership team to ensure a seamless transition, 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, later advancing to Publishing General Manager. "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 our collaborative approach with partner studios. Together we’ve taken risks, learned quickly, and turned great ideas into games enjoyed by millions." Feiman emphasized the collective nature of Lion’s achievements: "Lion has never been about any single individual. I’m fortunate to work with an extraordinary team across publishing, growth, product, engineering, and market intelligence, as well as our talented studio partners worldwide." Other notable moves include Heather Sangria’s appointment 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 management role at Undead Labs. At Activision Blizzard, Emily Rose Chen has been elevated to Senior Product Manager for the Call of Duty franchise.
Chen began her career at the company as a financial analyst in 2020, later transitioning to product management before earning this senior title. Similarly, Scot McCarron has been promoted to Senior Director of Product Management for Call of Duty. McCarron originally joined Activision in 2018 as a Product Marketing Manager for emerging franchises and later served as Director of Product Management on the Call of Duty line before receiving his new promotion.
These appointments and promotions illustrate the dynamic nature of talent movement within the gaming industry, highlighting both seasoned veterans stepping into new leadership roles and rising stars advancing to senior positions. The continuous reshuffling of expertise ensures fresh perspectives and sustained innovation across studios, publishers, and venture firms alike. As the sector evolves, keeping track of these changes helps stakeholders understand where strategic focus and creative energy are being directed.