Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, promotions, and departures in the video‑game sector can be a daunting task, which is why we publish periodic round‑ups that capture the most noteworthy movements. If your organization has experienced a personnel change that you think belongs in this list, please forward the name of the individual, the new title, the company, as well as the 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 at Tencent Games, where he helped shape the company's strategic partnerships across multiple regions.
In addition to his corporate experience, he founded and currently leads Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an initiative designed to connect job‑seekers with opportunities throughout the gaming ecosystem. "I wanted a position where the impact of my decisions could be felt more directly, where I could work alongside a team and help people get back to work," Satvat explained. "My goal has always been to turn more developers' aspirations of creating games into reality.
I also wanted to focus on smaller studios, because I have a deep affection for indie‑scale projects, and I wanted to operate in an environment that puts community first." He continued, "My ultimate 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 coming together." Satvat added a note about the firm itself: "1Up is a pivotal player in the broader games ecosystem, and I hope its distinctive approach to game‑stage investing 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 and Harri Tikkanen originally launched Housemarque in 1995 by merging 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 extraordinary industry growth, which allowed us to stay fiercely independent for 26 years before becoming part of the PlayStation Studios family." He also highlighted the careful planning behind the leadership transition: "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 seamless operational continuity. Housemarque’s strategic direction and creative vision are now in excellent hands." Tamara Feiman has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Lion Studios, the publishing arm of Tripledot Studios. Feiman previously served as Publishing General Manager and began her career at Lion Studios in 2020 as the EMEA Business Development Lead. "I joined Lion six years ago," Feiman said.
"Since then I’ve had the privilege of growing alongside the company through its biggest successes, challenges, and transformations. What makes Lion special is the way we collaborate with our partner studios. Together we take risks, learn fast, and turn great ideas into games enjoyed by millions." Feiman 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 moves 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. Emily Rose Chen has been promoted to Senior Product Manager for the Call of Duty franchise at Activision Blizzard.
Chen originally joined the company in 2020 as a financial analyst before moving into product management and climbing the ranks. Similarly, Scot McCarron has earned a promotion to Senior Director of Product Management for Call of Duty at Activision Blizzard.
McCarron entered 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 receiving his new title. These appointments and transitions underscore the dynamic nature of talent movement within the gaming industry, reflecting both personal career growth and the evolving strategies of leading studios and publishers. The industry continues to rely on seasoned veterans and fresh perspectives alike to drive innovation, support community building, and deliver compelling experiences to gamers worldwide.