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 gather the most noteworthy personnel moves into periodic round‑ups for easy reference. If you know of a recent appointment or transition that belongs in this list, please forward the name, new title, new organization, as well as the previous role and employer to newhires@gamesindustry.biz. Amir Satvat has officially joined 1Up Ventures as its new General Partner.
Prior to this, Satvat spent several years at Tencent Games where he was responsible for business development, forging partnerships and scouting emerging titles. In addition to his corporate experience, he founded and currently runs the initiative Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), a platform dedicated to helping industry professionals locate new employment opportunities. "I wanted a role where I could see a direct link between the decisions I make and the impact on a team, especially when that impact helps people get back to work," Satvat explained. "My goal has always been to turn more developers' dreams of creating games into reality.
I also wanted to work in an environment that focuses on smaller studios, because I have a genuine passion for indie‑scale projects, and I value a community‑first culture." He continued, "My final ambition was to collaborate with colleagues who share the same values and integrity I hold myself to. Accepting 1Up’s invitation feels like all those wishes are finally aligning." Satvat also praised 1Up’s position in the market, noting, "1Up is a pivotal player in the gaming ecosystem, and I’m eager to help preserve its distinctive approach to investing in games for as long as possible." In other news, Ilari Kuittinen, co‑founder and former Managing Director of Housemarque, has stepped down after an impressive 31‑year tenure. Kuittinen co‑established Housemarque in 1995 alongside Harri Tikkanen when their respective studios, Bloodhouse and Terramarque, merged.
The studio quickly earned a reputation for high‑octane, visually striking titles. Reflecting on his career, Kuittinen said, "Looking back, I feel immensely fortunate. We were in the right place at the right time for three decades of extraordinary industry growth, which allowed us to stay fiercely independent for 26 years before becoming part of the PlayStation Studios family." He added, "We have been planning this leadership transition carefully behind the scenes.
On July 1, Sami ‘Haxu’ Hakala officially stepped into 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 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 moving into a publishing General Manager role. Her deep familiarity with the company’s culture and processes makes her a natural fit for the top spot.
"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." She emphasized the collaborative nature of the organization: "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." Additional moves include Heather Sangria, who has been appointed Community Manager for Sega of America. Sangria previously acted as a contract social strategist and community lead at One More Game and held a digital strategy and community management role at Undead Labs, bringing a wealth of experience in audience engagement to Sega’s North American operations. At Activision Blizzard, Emily Rose Chen has earned a promotion to Senior Product Manager for the Call of Duty franchise. Chen originally joined the company in 2020 as a financial analyst, later transitioning into product management where she helped shape feature roadmaps and player‑experience initiatives.
Similarly, Scot McCarron has been elevated to Senior Director of Product Management for Call of Duty. McCarron entered Activision in 2018 as a Product Marketing Manager for emerging franchises, subsequently moving into product management and now overseeing broader strategic decisions for the flagship series.
These appointments and departures illustrate the dynamic nature of the gaming industry, where talent mobility, leadership evolution, and strategic realignment are constant. As studios and publishers continue to adapt to shifting market demands, the individuals steering these organizations play a crucial role in shaping the future of interactive entertainment.