Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, promotions, and departures in the video‑game sector can be a real challenge, which is why we publish periodic round‑ups that capture the most noteworthy moves. If your organization has recent staffing changes that belong in this list, please forward the name of the individual, their new title and company, as well as their previous role and employer to newhires@gamesindustry.biz.
Amir Satvat has accepted the position of General Partner at 1Up Ventures. Prior to this, he was the Business Development Director for Tencent Games, where he oversaw partnership negotiations and growth initiatives across multiple regions.
Satvat also founded and runs Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an initiative designed to help job‑seekers navigate career opportunities within the gaming industry. "I wanted a role where I could see a direct line between my actions and the impact on a team, especially when that impact translates into people getting back to work on the games they love," Satvat explained. "My goal has always been to help turn the aspirations of aspiring developers into reality. I was also drawn to a setting that champions smaller studios, because those projects hold a special place in my heart, and I wanted to be part of a community‑first environment." He continued, "My final ambition was to collaborate with colleagues who share the same values and integrity that I hold dear.
Accepting the invitation from 1Up to join their team means those aspirations are now being fulfilled." Satvat added another layer of enthusiasm, stating, "1Up plays a crucial role in the broader games ecosystem, and I’m eager to help preserve its distinctive approach to investing in games for as long as possible." In another significant development, Ilari Kuittinen, co‑founder and Managing Director of Housemarque, has stepped down after an impressive 31‑year tenure. Kuittinen co‑established Housemarque in 1995 alongside Harri Tikkanen, merging their earlier ventures Bloodhouse and Terramarque into what would become a celebrated Finnish studio. Reflecting on his three decades at the helm, Kuittinen said, "I feel incredibly fortunate when I look back.
We were in the right place at the right time throughout three decades of rapid industry expansion, which allowed us to stay fiercely independent for 26 years before ultimately joining the PlayStation Studios family." He also highlighted the careful planning behind the leadership transition, noting, "We have been orchestrating this change behind the scenes for some time. On July 1, Sami ‘Haxu’ Hakala officially assumed the Managing Director role, and I have continued to support him and the rest of the leadership team to ensure a seamless handover and operational stability.
Housemarque’s strategic direction and creative vision are now in exceptionally capable hands." Turning to Lion Studios, Tamara Feiman has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Tripledot Studios‑owned Lion division. Feiman’s journey with Lion began in 2020 as the EMEA Business Development Lead, later moving into the role of Publishing General Manager.
Her deep familiarity with the company’s culture and processes positions her well to steer the studio forward. "I first joined Lion six years ago," Feiman said. "Since then, I’ve had the privilege of growing alongside the company through its biggest triumphs, toughest challenges, and major transformations. What has always set Lion apart is our collaborative approach with partner studios.
Together we’ve taken bold risks, learned quickly, and turned great concepts 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 across publishing, growth, product, engineering, and market intelligence, as well as our talented studio partners around the world." Additional personnel movements 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 held a digital strategy and community management role at Undead Labs, giving her a solid background in fostering player engagement.
At Activision Blizzard, Emily Rose Chen has been promoted to Senior Product Manager for the Call of Duty franchise. Chen began her career at the company in 2020 as a financial analyst, later transitioning into product management where she contributed to several key features and live‑service updates.
In the same organization, Scot McCarron has advanced to Senior Director of Product Management for Call of Duty. McCarron joined Activision in 2018 as a Product Marketing Manager for emerging franchises and subsequently led product management efforts on the flagship Call of Duty series, guiding roadmap decisions and cross‑functional collaboration.
These appointments and promotions illustrate the dynamic nature of talent movement within the gaming industry, underscoring how experience, vision, and a commitment to community continue to shape the sector’s evolution.