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 assemble these periodic round‑ups, offering a single source for the most noteworthy personnel movements. If you know of any new appointments or transitions that belong in this list, please forward the individual’s name, new title, company, 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 was the business development director for Tencent Games, where he helped shape the company’s strategic partnerships. Satvat also founded and leads the initiative Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), a platform dedicated to connecting job seekers with opportunities throughout the games industry.
"I wanted a role where I could see a more immediate impact on both the teams I work with and the people I help place back into the industry," Satvat explained. "My goal has always been to turn more developers' aspirations into reality, especially within smaller studios that I’m passionate about, and to do so in an environment that puts community first." He continued, "Joining 1Up feels like a perfect alignment of my values. I’m eager to collaborate with colleagues who share my commitment to integrity and to help sustain 1Up’s distinctive approach to game‑studio investment for as long as possible." Housemarque’s 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, following the merger of their earlier studios, Bloodhouse and Terramarque.
Reflecting on his career, Kuittinen said, "I feel incredibly fortunate to have been part of a studio that rode three decades of explosive industry growth. We managed to stay fiercely independent for 26 years before becoming part of the PlayStation Studios family, which was a natural evolution for us." He added, "The leadership transition has been carefully orchestrated behind the scenes. On July 1, Sami ‘Haxu’ Hakala officially assumed the managing director position, and I have remained on board to support him and the rest of the leadership team, ensuring seamless operational continuity.
Housemarque’s strategic direction and creative vision are now in very capable hands." In another significant move, 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 as the EMEA business development lead, later advancing to publishing general manager. "I first joined Lion six years ago," Feiman remarked.
"Since then I’ve witnessed, and contributed to, some of the company’s biggest triumphs, toughest challenges, and most transformative moments. What makes Lion truly special is our collaborative relationship with partner studios. Together we take calculated risks, iterate quickly, and turn innovative concepts into games that reach millions of players." She emphasized the collective nature of the organization: "Lion’s success has never rested on a single individual.
I’m privileged to work with an extraordinary team spanning publishing, growth, product, engineering, and market intelligence, as well as with talented studio partners worldwide." Additional personnel updates include Heather Sangria, who has been appointed community manager for Sega of America. Sangria previously operated as a contract social‑strategy consultant and community lead at One More Game, and she also 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 began her Activision career in 2020 as a financial analyst, later transitioning to product management before advancing to this senior position.
Similarly, Scot McCarron has been elevated to senior director of product management for Call of Duty at Activision Blizzard. McCarron joined the company in 2018 as a product marketing manager for emerging franchises and subsequently served as director of product management on the Call of Duty line before his latest promotion.
These announcements reflect the dynamic nature of the games industry, where talent moves fluidly between studios, investment firms, and publishing houses, shaping the future of interactive entertainment. Maintaining awareness of these shifts helps professionals stay informed about potential collaborations, market trends, and emerging opportunities across the sector.