Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, promotions, and departures across the video‑game sector can be a real challenge. That’s why we publish periodic round‑ups that gather the most noteworthy personnel moves in one place.
If you know of a change at your studio that belongs in this list, please forward the name of the individual, their new title, the company they’re joining, as well as their previous role and employer to newhires@gamesindustry.biz. Amir Satvat has taken on the role of general partner at 1Up Ventures. Before this appointment, Satvat was the business development director for Tencent Games, where he helped shape partnership strategies and expansion plans.
In addition to his corporate experience, he founded and runs Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an initiative designed to help professionals locate new opportunities within the gaming industry. "I wanted a more immediate link between the actions I could take and the impact on a team, especially when it comes to getting people back to work," Satvat explained. "I wanted to see more creators’ aspirations become reality because of something I contributed. 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 in a setting that puts community first." He continued, "My ultimate goal was to collaborate with colleagues who share the same values and integrity that I strive to uphold.
Accepting 1Up’s invitation feels like a convergence of all those wishes." Satvat also praised 1Up’s position in the ecosystem: "1Up is a pivotal player in the games investment landscape, and I aim to help preserve its distinctive approach for as long as possible." Turning to Housemarque, co‑founder and managing director Ilari Kuittinen announced his departure after an impressive 31‑year tenure. Kuittinen co‑established Housemarque in 1995 alongside Harri Tikkanen, merging their earlier ventures Bloodhouse and Terramarque into the studio that would later become a staple of the Finnish gaming scene. Reflecting on his career, Kuittinen said, "Looking back, I feel immensely fortunate.
We were in the right place at the right time throughout 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." In another significant move, 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 advancing to publishing general manager.
Her deep familiarity with the company’s culture and operations positions her well to steer its next phase of growth. "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 before that she managed digital strategy and community engagement 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 at the company as a financial analyst in 2020, later moving into product management before earning this senior role.
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 and later served as director of product management on the Call of Duty line before his latest promotion. These movements illustrate the dynamic nature of talent within the gaming industry, where experienced leaders transition to new challenges, and rising stars continue to ascend.
The blend of seasoned veterans like Kuittinen and emerging leaders such as Feiman and Satvat underscores a sector that values both deep institutional knowledge and fresh perspectives. As studios and investors alike navigate an ever‑evolving market, the people steering these organizations play a pivotal role in shaping the games and experiences that reach players worldwide.