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 new appointments or transitions that belong in this list, please forward the name of the individual, the new title, the company, and 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 for Tencent Games, where he helped shape the company’s strategic partnerships across multiple regions. Satvat is also the founder and driving force behind Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an initiative that connects job‑seekers with opportunities throughout the gaming ecosystem. "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.
"My goal has always been to help turn the dream of creating games into a reality for as many people as possible. I also wanted to work in an environment that supports smaller studios, because I have a deep affection for indie‑scale projects, and I wanted to be part of a community‑first culture." He continued, "My final wish 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 is a pivotal player in the broader games ecosystem, and I am committed to ensuring its distinctive approach to game investment endures for as long as possible." In other news, Ilari Kuittinen, co‑founder and former 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 developer of visually striking, action‑oriented titles. "Reflecting on the journey, 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 remain fiercely independent for 26 years before ultimately joining the PlayStation Studios family." He noted that the leadership handover had been meticulously planned behind the scenes.
"On July 1, Sami ‘Haxu’ Hakala officially assumed the Managing Director role, 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 in excellent hands." Turning to Lion Studios, Tamara Feiman has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer of Tripledot Studios’ Lion Studios division. Feiman’s career at 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 positions her well to steer its next phase of growth.
"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 the way we collaborate with our partner studios.
Together we’ve taken risks, learned quickly, and turned great ideas into games enjoyed by millions." She emphasized the collaborative nature of the organization: "Lion has never been about a single individual. I’m fortunate to work alongside an extraordinary team across publishing, growth, product, engineering, and market intelligence, as well as our talented studio partners worldwide." Additional appointments include Heather Sangria, who has joined 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 fostering player engagement.
Emily Rose Chen has earned a promotion to Senior Product Manager for the Call of Duty franchise at Activision Blizzard. Chen started her tenure at Activision in 2020 as a financial analyst, later moving into product management where she has contributed to the evolution of one of the industry’s most iconic shooters. Similarly, Scot McCarron has been elevated 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, later serving as Director of Product Management on the Call of Duty team before assuming his new senior leadership role.
These moves illustrate the dynamic nature of talent circulation within the gaming sector, where seasoned professionals often transition between development, publishing, and investment roles, bringing fresh perspectives and reinforcing the industry’s capacity for innovation. As studios continue to expand, merge, and explore new business models, the importance of experienced leadership—people who understand both the creative and commercial sides of game production—remains paramount. The round‑up also serves as a reminder of the broader trends shaping the market: a growing emphasis on community‑centric initiatives, the rise of investment firms like 1Up Ventures that specialize in supporting indie and mid‑size studios, and the ongoing consolidation of talent within major publishers such as Activision Blizzard and Sega.
By tracking these personnel shifts, observers can gain insight into where strategic priorities are heading, which studios are positioning themselves for future growth, and how the ecosystem as a whole continues to evolve. If you have further updates or wish to see your company’s movements featured in the next edition, please email the relevant details to newhires@gamesindustry.biz.