Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, departures, and promotions in the video‑game sector can be a daunting task, which is why we publish periodic round‑ups that capture the most noteworthy moves. If your organization has recent personnel changes that you think belong in this list, please forward the name of the individual, the new title, the company, and the previous role and employer to newhires@gamesindustry.biz. Amir Satvat has taken on the role of General Partner at 1Up Ventures.
Prior to this appointment, Satvat was the Business Development Director for Tencent Games, where he oversaw partnership strategy and growth initiatives across multiple markets. In addition to his corporate experience, he founded and leads Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an initiative dedicated to helping professionals locate new opportunities within the gaming industry. "I wanted a more immediate connection between the actions I could 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 developers' aspirations into reality, and I felt that focusing on smaller studios—games I’m personally passionate about—within a community‑first environment would let me do that." He continued, "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 aligning." Satvat also praised 1Up’s role in the broader ecosystem: "1Up is a crucial player in the games investment landscape, and I’m committed to ensuring its distinctive, founder‑friendly approach 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 together with Harri Tikkanen, following the merger of their earlier 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 remarkable industry growth, which allowed us to stay fiercely independent for 26 years before joining 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 appointed Chief Executive Officer of Lion Studios, the publishing arm of Tripledot Studios.
Feiman’s journey with Lion began in 2020 when she joined as the EMEA Business Development Lead, later moving into the role of 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 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 appointments include Heather Sangria, who joins Sega of America as Community Manager.
Sangria previously operated as a contract social strategist and community lead at One More Game, and earlier held a digital strategy and community management position at Undead Labs. At Activision Blizzard, Emily Rose Chen has been promoted to Senior Product Manager for the Call of Duty franchise.
Chen began her career with the company as a financial analyst in 2020, later moving into product management before earning this senior title. Similarly, Scot McCarron has advanced to Senior Director of Product Management for Call of Duty at Activision Blizzard. McCarron originally joined Activision in 2018 as a Product Marketing Manager for emerging franchises, later serving as Director of Product Management on the Call of Duty line before his latest promotion.
These movements illustrate the dynamic nature of talent flow within the gaming sector, where seasoned veterans and emerging leaders alike continue to shape the future of interactive entertainment. The industry thrives on such transitions, as fresh perspectives and seasoned expertise combine to drive innovation, foster community, and deliver the games that millions of players around the globe enjoy every day.