Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, promotions and departures in the video‑game sector can be a real challenge, which is why we publish periodic round‑ups that capture the most noteworthy movements. If you know of a recent appointment or transition that belongs in this list, please forward the name of the individual, the new title, the new organization, 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. Prior to this, he spent several years as Business Development Director at Tencent Games, where he helped shape the company’s publishing and partnership strategies.
Satvat also founded and runs Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), a platform dedicated to helping industry professionals locate new opportunities and advance their careers. "I wanted a position where the impact of my work could be felt directly by the people I help and the teams I collaborate with," Satvat explained. "My goal has always been to turn more developers' aspirations into reality, especially those working on smaller‑scale titles that I’m personally passionate about. I also wanted to be part of an organization that puts community first and shares my values of integrity and transparency.
Joining 1Up feels like the perfect alignment of those ambitions." He added, "1Up plays a crucial role in the broader games ecosystem, and I hope to help preserve its distinctive, founder‑friendly investment approach for as long as possible." In other news, Ilari Kuittinen, the co‑founder and former 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 studios, Bloodhouse and Terramarque.
Under their leadership, the company evolved from a modest Finnish developer into a globally recognized studio known for high‑octane arcade experiences. Reflecting on his career, Kuittinen said, "I feel incredibly fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time throughout three decades of explosive industry growth. That timing allowed us to stay fiercely independent for 26 years before we ultimately joined the PlayStation Studios family." He continued, "The leadership transition has been carefully orchestrated 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 to guarantee seamless operational continuity.
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 began her journey with Lion in 2020 as the EMEA Business Development Lead and later served as Publishing General Manager. Her deep familiarity with the company’s culture and processes positioned her as a natural successor.
"I first joined Lion six years ago," Feiman remarked. "Since then I’ve been privileged to grow alongside the organization through its biggest triumphs, toughest challenges, and pivotal transformations. What makes Lion unique is our collaborative approach with partner studios – we take calculated risks, iterate quickly, and turn bold concepts into games that reach millions of players worldwide." She added, "Lion’s success has never rested on a single individual. I’m grateful to work with an outstanding team spanning publishing, growth, product, engineering, and market intelligence, as well as our talented studio partners around the globe." Additional personnel changes include Heather Sangria, who has been appointed 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 role at Undead Labs, giving her a solid background in building and nurturing online gaming communities. Activision Blizzard also announced two internal promotions within its Call of Duty franchise. Emily Rose Chen has been elevated to Senior Product Manager, after joining the company as a Financial Analyst in 2020 and later moving into product management.
Similarly, Scot McCarron has been promoted to Senior Director of Product Management for Call of Duty, having progressed from Product Marketing Manager for emerging franchises when he entered Activision in 2018. These moves underscore the dynamic nature of talent mobility in the games industry, where seasoned veterans and rising stars alike continue to shape the future of interactive entertainment.
The combined experience of these individuals—spanning development, publishing, community engagement, and product strategy—highlights the multifaceted expertise required to thrive in today’s competitive market. As the industry evolves, keeping an eye on such leadership shifts offers valuable insight into emerging trends, investment philosophies, and the strategic directions of major studios and venture firms.
Whether you are a developer, publisher, investor, or enthusiast, staying informed about these personnel changes can help you anticipate the next wave of innovation and collaboration within the gaming ecosystem.