Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, promotions, and departures across the video‑game sector can be a real challenge. That’s why we put together periodic round‑ups that capture the most noteworthy personnel moves in the industry. If you know of any recent appointments or transitions that belong in this list, please forward the name of the individual, the new position and company, as well as the previous role and employer to newhires@gamesindustry.biz. Amir Satvat has officially joined 1Up Ventures as its new general partner.
Before stepping into this venture‑capital role, Satvat spent several years at Tencent Games where he acted as the business‑development director, overseeing partnership negotiations and market expansion initiatives. In addition to his corporate experience, he founded and leads Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an organization dedicated to helping job seekers find opportunities within the gaming sector.
"I wanted a role where I could see a direct link between the actions I take and the impact on a team, especially when it comes to getting people back to work," Satvat explained. "My goal has always been to help turn more people’s dreams of creating games into reality. I also wanted to focus on smaller studios because I’m passionate about that size of operation, and I wanted to be part of a community‑first environment." He continued, "My final wish was to collaborate with colleagues who share the same values and integrity I strive for. Accepting the invitation to join 1Up feels like all those wishes are coming together." Satvat added a broader perspective on the firm’s role: "1Up is a pivotal player in the gaming ecosystem, and I hope its distinctive approach to investing in games endures 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 originally launched Housemarque in 1995 alongside Harri Tikkanen, merging their earlier studios Bloodhouse and Terramarque into what would become a celebrated independent developer. 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 ultimately 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 took over as managing director, and I have continued to support him and the leadership team up to today to ensure smooth operational continuity and stability.
Housemarque’s strategic direction and creative vision are now in excellent hands." At Tripledot Studios’ Lion Studios, Tamara Feiman has been promoted to chief executive officer. Feiman’s journey with Lion began in 2020 when she joined as the EMEA business‑development lead and later moved into the publishing general‑manager role.
Her deep familiarity with the company’s culture and processes made her a natural fit for the top spot. "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 truly special is how we collaborate with our partner studios. Together we’ve taken risks, learned quickly, and turned great ideas into games played by millions." She emphasized the collaborative nature of the organization: "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." Other personnel updates include Heather Sangria’s appointment as community manager at Sega of America.
Sangria previously worked as a contract social‑strategy consultant and community lead at One More Game, and she also held a digital‑strategy and community‑manager role at Undead Labs. Activision Blizzard announced two promotions within its Call of Duty franchise. Emily Rose Chen has been elevated to senior product manager for Call of Duty after joining the company as a financial analyst in 2020 and later moving into product management.
Similarly, Scot McCarron has been promoted to senior director of product management for Call of Duty. McCarron originally entered Activision in 2018 as a product‑marketing manager for emerging franchises before progressing to director of product management on the Call of Duty series. These moves illustrate the dynamic nature of talent flow in the gaming world, where seasoned veterans and emerging leaders alike continue to shape the future of interactive entertainment.
The industry thrives on fresh perspectives, strategic investments, and a shared commitment to delivering compelling experiences to players worldwide.