Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, departures, and role changes in 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 across the industry.
If you know of a recent appointment or transition that belongs in this list, please forward the individual’s name, new title, and company, along with their previous role and employer, to newhires@gamesindustry.biz. Amir Satvat has taken on the position of General Partner at 1Up Ventures. Before this, he was the Business Development Director for Tencent Games, where he helped shape the company’s strategic partnerships and expansion initiatives.
Satvat also founded and runs the Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an organization dedicated to helping professionals locate new opportunities within the gaming field. "I wanted a role where the impact of my work could be felt directly by a team and by the people I help get back into the industry," Satvat explained. "My goal has always been to turn more developers' aspirations of creating games into reality, and I felt that a smaller‑studio‑focused environment would let me do that best.
I also value a community‑first culture, where collaboration and shared purpose drive decisions." He added, "Joining 1Up feels like a perfect alignment of my personal wishes. The firm is a crucial player in the broader games ecosystem, and I’m eager to help preserve its distinctive investment philosophy for as long as possible." Housemarque’s co‑founder and Managing Director Ilari Kuittinen announced his departure after an impressive 31‑year tenure. Kuittinen originally co‑established Housemarque in 1995 together with Harri Tikkanen, merging their earlier studios Bloodhouse and Terramarque into the now‑renowned developer. Reflecting on his career, Kuittinen said, "I feel incredibly fortunate looking back.
We were in the right place at the right time for three decades of remarkable industry growth, which allowed us to stay fiercely independent for 26 years before ultimately joining the PlayStation Studios family." He continued, "The leadership transition has been carefully planned behind the scenes. On July 1, Sami ‘Haxu’ Hakala officially stepped into the Managing Director role, and I have continued to support him and the broader leadership team to ensure smooth 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 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 set Lion apart is our collaborative approach with partner studios. Together we’ve taken risks, learned quickly, and turned great ideas into games that reach millions of players." She emphasized the collective nature of the organization: "Lion has never been about any single individual.
I’m fortunate to work with an extraordinary team spanning publishing, growth, product, engineering, and market intelligence, as well as our talented studio partners worldwide." Additional personnel updates include Heather Sangria’s appointment as Community Manager for Sega of America. Sangria previously worked as a contract Social Strategist and Community Lead at One More Game and served as Digital Strategy and Community Manager at Undead Labs, bringing a wealth of experience in community engagement to her new role.
Activision Blizzard announced two promotions within its Call of Duty franchise. Emily Rose Chen has been elevated to Senior Product Manager, after joining the company as a Financial Analyst in 2020 and later moving into product management. Similarly, Scot McCarron has advanced to Senior Director of Product Management for Call of Duty, having entered Activision in 2018 as a Product Marketing Manager for emerging franchises before progressing through the product management ranks.
These moves underscore the dynamic nature of talent flow within the gaming industry, highlighting how seasoned professionals continue to shape the future of game development, publishing, and community interaction. Whether transitioning to new leadership roles, expanding responsibilities, or founding initiatives that support the broader ecosystem, each individual contributes to the ever‑evolving landscape of interactive entertainment.