Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, promotions, departures and restructurings in the video‑game sector can be a real challenge, which is why we publish periodic round‑ups that capture the most noteworthy personnel moves. If you know of a change at your studio that belongs in this list—whether it’s a new appointment, a promotion, or a senior executive leaving—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, Satvat spent several years as Business Development Director at Tencent Games, where he helped shape partnership strategies across a range of global titles. In addition to his corporate experience, he founded and leads the Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an initiative that connects job seekers with opportunities throughout the industry. "I wanted a position where the impact of my decisions could be felt directly by the teams I work with and, ultimately, by the people who get hired," Satvat explained. "I’m passionate about turning the dream of making games into reality for as many creators as possible.
I also wanted to focus on smaller, independent studios because those projects resonate with me deeply, and I thrive in environments that prioritize community above all else." He continued, "My final goal was to join a team that shares my values and operates with the same level of integrity I hold myself to. Accepting 1Up’s invitation feels like all those aspirations are finally aligning." Satvat added, "1Up plays a crucial role in the gaming ecosystem, and I’m committed to ensuring its distinctive investment philosophy endures for the long term." Lasse Seppänen announced his exit from Supercell after a seven‑year tenure. He arrived at the Finnish powerhouse in 2019 as a producer and later served in senior capacities, including Head of Game Production Services and General Manager of Supercell London.
"It’s time for me to return to my original passion: creating new IPs," Seppänen said. "I’ll remain based in the UK, and my plan is to launch my own studio in 2027.
I’ll share more details when the timing feels right." Take‑Two Interactive has appointed Giles Derrington as Director of Global Affairs for the UK market. Derrington previously led public affairs for TikTok in the United Kingdom, bringing a deep understanding of regulatory and media relations to his new role.
Jess Pearce earned a promotion to Senior People Partner at Kepler Interactive. Pearce joined Kepler in 2022 as a People Advisor, advanced to People Partner in 2024, and now oversees broader talent strategy across the organization.
Shreya Godha has been elevated to Producer at PlaySimple Games after serving as Associate Producer. In her new capacity she will take on full production responsibilities for upcoming titles.
Epic Games named Kelly Ekins as Director of Communications. Ekins comes from Unity, where she was Senior Director of Global PR for the Games and Made‑with‑Unity program. Before that, she led marketing for media and entertainment at Unity and previously headed game marketing and communications at Warner Brothers Games Montreal.
Housemarque co‑founder and Managing Director Ilari Kuittinen is stepping down after an impressive 31‑year career with the studio. Kuittinen co‑founded Housemarque in 1995 alongside Harri Tikkanen, merging their earlier ventures Bloodhouse and Terramarque into what became one of Finland’s most celebrated independent developers. "Reflecting on the past three decades, I feel incredibly fortunate," Kuittinen said. "We were in the right place at the right time throughout three eras of explosive industry growth, which allowed us to stay fiercely independent for 26 years before joining the PlayStation Studios family." He added, "The leadership transition has been carefully 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 executive team to ensure seamless operational continuity. Housemarque’s strategic direction and creative vision are in excellent hands." Tamara Feiman has been appointed 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 becoming Publishing General Manager. Her deep familiarity with the company’s culture and partner ecosystem positioned her as a natural successor.
"I joined Lion six years ago and have watched it evolve through its biggest wins, toughest challenges, and major transformations," Feiman remarked. "What makes Lion unique is our collaborative approach with partner studios. Together we’ve taken bold risks, learned quickly, and turned innovative concepts into games that reach millions of players." "Lion has never been about a single individual.
I’m privileged to work with an outstanding team across publishing, growth, product, engineering, and market intelligence, as well as our talented studio partners worldwide," she continued. Heather Sangria 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 role at Undead Labs, giving her a strong background in fostering player engagement. Emily Rose Chen received a promotion to Senior Product Manager for the Call of Duty franchise at Activision Blizzard.
Chen originally joined the company in 2020 as a financial analyst, later moving into product management before earning her senior title. Scot McCarron was elevated to Senior Director of Product Management for Call of Duty at Activision Blizzard.
McCarron began his Activision career in 2018 as a Product Marketing Manager for emerging franchises, later serving as Director of Product Management for the flagship series before this latest promotion. These announcements illustrate the dynamic nature of talent movement within the gaming world, highlighting both seasoned veterans stepping into new challenges and rising stars advancing their careers. The industry continues to evolve rapidly, and the individuals highlighted here will shape its future direction through leadership, creativity, and community focus.