Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, departures, and promotions in the video‑game sector can be a real challenge. That’s why we publish periodic round‑ups that gather all the noteworthy personnel moves in one place. If your organization has experienced a leadership change or a new appointment that belongs in this list, please forward the name, new title, company, and previous role to newhires@gamesindustry.biz.
Amir Satvat has taken on the role of general partner at 1Up Ventures. Prior to this, he was the business development director for Tencent Games, where he helped shape the company’s strategic partnerships. Satvat also founded and runs Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an initiative that connects job‑seekers with opportunities throughout the gaming industry. "I wanted a position where I could see a direct link between my actions, the team I work with, and the impact on getting people back to work," Satvat explained.
"My goal has always been to help turn more developers' dreams of creating games into reality. I also wanted to focus on smaller studios because I have a deep affection for that scale, and I wanted to be part of an organization that puts community first." He continued, "My final aspiration was to collaborate with colleagues who share the same values and integrity that I strive for.
Accepting 1Up’s invitation feels like all of those wishes are finally coming together." Satvat added, "1Up plays a crucial role in the broader games ecosystem, and I hope its distinctive approach to game investment endures for many years to come." 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 the past, I feel incredibly fortunate," Kuittinen said. "We were in the right place at the right time during three decades of explosive industry growth, which allowed us to stay fiercely independent for 26 years before ultimately joining the PlayStation Studios family." He noted that the leadership transition was carefully orchestrated behind the scenes.
"On July 1, Sami ‘Haxu’ Hakala officially assumed the managing director position, and I have continued to support him and the rest of the leadership team to ensure seamless operational continuity. Housemarque’s strategic direction and creative vision are now in excellent hands." Tamara Feiman has been promoted to chief executive officer of Lion Studios, the publishing arm of Tripledot Studios. Feiman’s journey at Lion began in 2020 as the EMEA business development lead, later moving into the role of publishing general manager.
"I joined Lion six years ago," Feiman recalled. "Since then I’ve had the privilege of growing alongside the company through its biggest successes, challenges, and transformations. What makes Lion unique is the way we collaborate with partner studios.
Together we take risks, learn fast, and turn great concepts into games that reach millions of players." "Lion has never been about a single individual. I’m lucky to work with an outstanding team across publishing, growth, product, engineering, and market intelligence, as well as with talented studio partners worldwide," she added. Additional appointments include Heather Sangria, who has been named 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.
Emily Rose Chen has earned a promotion to senior product manager for the Call of Duty franchise at Activision Blizzard. Chen started at the company in 2020 as a financial analyst before moving into product management.
Scot McCarron also advanced within Activision Blizzard, becoming senior director of product management for Call of Duty. McCarron joined the firm in 2018 as a product marketing manager for emerging franchises and later served as director of product management on the Call of Duty series. These moves illustrate the dynamic nature of talent flow within the gaming world, highlighting both seasoned veterans stepping into new leadership roles and rising stars earning higher responsibilities. As the industry continues to evolve, the importance of experienced leaders who can blend strategic vision with community focus becomes ever more evident.
The upcoming months will likely bring further shifts as studios adapt to emerging technologies, market trends, and player expectations, making these personnel updates a valuable snapshot of the sector’s ongoing transformation.