Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, departures, and promotions in the video‑game sector can be a real challenge. That’s why we put together these periodic round‑ups, gathering the most noteworthy personnel movements in one convenient place.
If you know of any new appointments or transitions that belong in this list, please forward the individual's name, their new title, the company they’re 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, Satvat was the Business Development Director for Tencent Games, where he helped shape partnership strategies and expand the publisher’s portfolio.
He is also the founder and driving force behind Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an initiative dedicated to helping professionals locate employment opportunities within the gaming industry. "I wanted a position where I could see a direct link between my actions and the outcomes for a team, especially when it comes to getting people back to work," Satvat explained. "I’ve always wanted to help turn more developers' dreams of creating games into reality, and I felt that working with smaller studios would let me do that because I’m passionate about that scale of production and the community‑first mindset that surrounds it." He continued, "My ultimate goal was to collaborate with colleagues who share the same values and integrity that I strive for. Accepting 1Up’s invitation feels like all of those aspirations are finally aligning." Satvat added, "1Up is a crucial player in the gaming ecosystem, and I’m eager to support its distinctive approach to game investment for as long as possible." In another significant development, 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 respective studios, Bloodhouse and Terramarque. Reflecting on his career, Kuittinen said, "Looking back, I feel immensely fortunate. We were in the right place at the right time throughout three decades of extraordinary industry growth, which allowed us to remain fiercely independent for 26 years before 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 up to today to ensure seamless operational continuity and stability. Housemarque’s strategic direction and creative vision are now in exceptional hands." Tamara Feiman has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Lion Studios, a division of Tripledot Studios. Feiman’s journey with Lion began in 2020 as the EMEA Business Development Lead, eventually rising to Publishing General Manager.
Her deep familiarity with the company’s culture and processes positions her well to steer its next phase. "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 made 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 collaborative nature of the organization: "Lion has never been about one person. I’m fortunate to work alongside an incredible team spanning publishing, growth, product, engineering, and market intelligence, as well as our talented studio partners around the world." Additional personnel updates 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 held a digital strategy and community manager role at Undead Labs. Emily Rose Chen has been promoted to Senior Product Manager for the Call of Duty franchise at Activision Blizzard.
Chen originally joined the company in 2020 as a financial analyst before moving into product management and climbing the ranks. Similarly, Scot McCarron has advanced to Senior Director of Product Management for Call of Duty at Activision Blizzard.
McCarron entered Activision in 2018 as a Product Marketing Manager for emerging franchises and later served as Director of Product Management on the Call of Duty series before earning this senior leadership position. These moves reflect the dynamic nature of talent flow within the gaming sector, where experienced professionals continue to shape the future of interactive entertainment through new challenges and leadership opportunities.