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 personnel moves. If you know of any recent appointments or transitions that belong in this list, please forward the name, new title, new 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, he was the Business Development Director at Tencent Games, where he helped shape the company’s strategic partnerships and growth initiatives. Satvat also founded and runs Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), a platform dedicated to helping professionals locate new opportunities within the gaming industry. "I wanted a role where I could see a direct link between the actions I take and the impact on a team, especially when it comes to getting people back to work," Satvat explained.
"I wanted to help turn more developers' dreams of creating games into reality, and I was drawn to a setting that focuses on smaller studios because I have a deep affection for games of that scale. I also value an environment that puts community first." He continued, "My ultimate goal was to collaborate with colleagues who share the same values and integrity that I strive for.
Accepting the invitation to join 1Up feels like a perfect alignment of those aspirations." Satvat added, "1Up plays a crucial role in the broader games ecosystem, and I hope its distinctive approach to investing in games 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 co‑established Housemarque in 1995 alongside Harri Tikkanen, merging their earlier studios Bloodhouse and Terramarque into what would become a celebrated independent developer. "Reflecting on the past, I feel incredibly fortunate," Kuittinen said. "We were in the right place at the right time across three decades of remarkable industry growth, which allowed us to remain fiercely independent for 26 years before ultimately joining the PlayStation Studios family." He noted that the leadership transition had been meticulously planned behind the scenes.
"On July 1, Sami ‘Haxu’ Hakala officially assumed the Managing Director position, and I have continued to support him and the broader leadership team up to today to guarantee seamless operational continuity and stability. Housemarque’s strategic direction and creative vision are now in very capable hands." Tamara Feiman has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer of Lion Studios, the publishing arm of Tripledot Studios.
Feiman’s journey with Lion began in 2020 as the EMEA Business Development Lead, later advancing to Publishing General Manager. Her deep familiarity with the company’s culture and processes makes her a natural fit for the top role. "I joined Lion six years ago," Feiman reflected. "Since then, I’ve had the privilege of growing alongside the company through its biggest successes, challenges, and 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 ideas into games that reach millions of players." She emphasized the collective nature of Lion’s achievements: "Lion has never been about a single individual. I’m fortunate to work with an extraordinary team across publishing, growth, product, engineering, and market intelligence, as well as with talented studio partners worldwide." Additional appointments include Heather Sangria, who joins Sega of America as Community Manager.
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, bringing a wealth of experience in audience engagement and brand building. Emily Rose Chen has been elevated 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, where she has contributed to several high‑profile releases and feature updates. Scot McCarron has also earned a promotion, now serving as 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, later advancing to Director of Product Management on the Call of Duty team, where he oversaw critical roadmap decisions and cross‑functional collaborations. These moves illustrate the dynamic nature of talent flow within the gaming industry, highlighting how seasoned professionals continue to shape the future of interactive entertainment through leadership, strategic insight, and community focus. The industry thrives on such expertise, and each appointment reinforces the sector’s commitment to innovation, player engagement, and sustainable growth.