Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, departures, and promotions across the video‑game sector can be a real challenge. That’s why we publish periodic round‑ups that gather all of the noteworthy personnel moves in one place. If your organization has recently announced a new appointment or a transition that belongs in this list, please forward the name of the individual, the new title and company, as well as the previous role and employer to newhires@gamesindustry.biz. Amir Satvat has taken on the role of general partner at 1Up Ventures.
Before this, he was the business‑development director for Tencent Games, where he oversaw a range of partnership initiatives and strategic growth projects. Satvat is also the founder and driving force behind Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), a platform dedicated to helping professionals locate employment opportunities within the gaming industry.
"I wanted a position where I could see a direct line between the decisions I make, the work I do with a team, and the impact on getting people back to work," Satvat explained. "My goal has always been to help turn more developers' dreams of creating games into reality.
I also hoped to work in an environment that focuses on smaller studios, because I have a deep affection for games of that scale, and that places community at its core. "My final wish was to collaborate with colleagues who share the same values and integrity I try to uphold.
Accepting the invitation to join 1Up feels like all those wishes are coming true," he added. He continued, "1Up is a pivotal player in the broader games ecosystem, and I am committed to ensuring its distinctive approach to game investment 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 the company that would become a hallmark of Finnish game development.
"Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate," Kuittinen reflected. "We were in the right place at the right time throughout three decades of explosive 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 carefully orchestrated behind the scenes. "On July 1, Sami ‘Haxu’ Hakala officially assumed the managing‑director role, and I have continued to support him and the broader leadership team up to today to guarantee seamless 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 at Lion began in 2020 when she joined as the EMEA business‑development lead, later moving into the role of publishing general manager. "I first joined Lion six years ago," Feiman said.
"Since then, I’ve had the privilege of growing alongside the company through its biggest successes, toughest challenges, and transformative moments. What has always set Lion apart is the way we collaborate with our partner studios.
Together we’ve taken risks, learned fast, and turned great concepts into games that millions enjoy. "Lion has never been about a single individual.
I’m lucky to work with an extraordinary team spanning publishing, growth, product, engineering, and market intelligence, as well as our talented studio partners around the globe." Additional appointments include Heather Sangria, who has been named community manager for Sega of America. Sangria previously worked as a contract social‑strategy consultant and community lead at One More Game, and held a digital‑strategy and community‑manager 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 originally joined the company in 2020 as a financial analyst, later moving into 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 began his Activision career in 2018 as a product‑marketing manager for emerging franchises, later becoming director of product management for the Call of Duty line before receiving his new senior‑director title. These moves illustrate the dynamic nature of talent mobility within the gaming sector, where seasoned veterans and rising stars alike continue to shape the future of interactive entertainment. The industry thrives on such fluidity, as fresh perspectives and seasoned expertise converge to drive innovation, expand audiences, and sustain the vibrant ecosystem that gamers worldwide rely on.