Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, promotions, and departures in the video‑game sector can be a real challenge. That’s why we publish periodic round‑ups that capture the most noteworthy personnel changes across the industry. If you know of any new appointments or transitions that deserve a mention, please forward the name of the individual, their new title and 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.
Before this move, Satvat was the Business Development Director at Tencent Games, where he helped shape the company’s strategic partnerships and expansion initiatives. In addition to his corporate experience, he founded and leads the Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an organization dedicated to helping professionals find employment within the gaming sector. "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. "I’m driven by the desire to turn more people’s aspirations of creating games into reality through my own contributions.
I also hoped to join an environment that focuses on smaller studios, because I have a deep affection for games of that scale, and that puts community at the forefront of its mission. "My final wish was to collaborate with colleagues who share the same values and integrity I strive for. Accepting 1Up’s invitation feels like all those wishes are finally coming together," he added.
Satvat also emphasized his confidence in the firm’s future: "1Up is a pivotal player in the gaming ecosystem, and I want its distinctive approach to game investment to endure 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 and Harri Tikkanen originally formed Housemarque in 1995 by merging their separate 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 during three decades of extraordinary industry growth, which allowed us to stay fiercely independent for 26 years before joining the PlayStation Studios family." He continued, "We have been planning this leadership transition carefully behind the scenes.
On July 1, Sami ‘Haxu’ Hakala officially assumed the Managing Director role, and I have continued supporting him and the leadership team until today to ensure complete operational continuity and stability. Housemarque’s strategy and creative vision are in exceptional 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 Lion journey 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 made Lion special is how we work with our partner studios. Together, we’ve taken risks, learned quickly, and turned great ideas into games played by millions. "Lion has never been about one person.
I’m fortunate to work alongside an incredible team across publishing, growth, product, engineering, and market intelligence, as well as our talented studio partners around the world," she added. Additional appointments include Heather Sangria, who joins 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 management 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 as a financial analyst in 2020 and later moved into product management, where she has driven key features and live‑service initiatives for the flagship shooter series. 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, later becoming Director of Product Management for Call of Duty before earning his current senior‑director title. These movements illustrate the dynamic nature of talent within the gaming industry, where seasoned veterans and rising leaders alike continue to shape the future of interactive entertainment.
By tracking these changes, professionals can stay informed about potential opportunities, emerging trends, and the evolving leadership landscape that drives game development and publishing worldwide.