Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, promotions, and departures across the video‑game sector can be a real challenge. That’s why we put together periodic round‑ups that capture the most notable moves in one place.
If you know of a transition that belongs in this list—whether it’s a new appointment, a promotion, or an exit—please email the details (name, new role, new company, previous role and previous company) 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.
Satvat also founded and runs Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an initiative that assists job‑seekers in finding positions 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’ve always wanted to help turn more people’s dreams of creating games into reality. I also hoped to work in an environment that focuses on smaller studios, because I’m passionate about games of that scale and about community‑first cultures." He added, "My final wish was to join colleagues who share the same values and integrity that I hold dear.
Accepting 1Up’s invitation feels like all those wishes are finally coming together." Satvat also praised 1Up’s role in the broader ecosystem: "1Up is a crucial player in the games investment landscape, and I’m committed to ensuring its unique, community‑driven approach endures for as long as possible." Lasse Seppänen announced that he will leave Supercell after a seven‑year tenure. He started at the Finnish giant in 2019 as a producer and later moved through several senior positions, including Head of Game Production Services and General Manager of Supercell London. "It’s time for me to return to my passion for creating new game IPs," Seppänen said. "I’ll stay in the UK, and in 2027 I plan to launch my own studio again—more details will follow when the timing is right." Take‑Two Interactive has named Giles Derrington as Director of Global Affairs for the UK.
Derrington previously led TikTok’s public affairs efforts in the United Kingdom, where he was responsible for navigating regulatory and policy matters. Jess Pearce received a promotion at Kepler Interactive, moving up to Senior People Partner.
Pearce first joined Kepler in 2022 as a People Advisor and advanced to People Partner in 2024, playing a key role in talent acquisition and employee development. Shreya Godha was promoted to Producer at PlaySimple Games.
She had been serving as an Associate Producer with the developer and now takes on broader responsibilities for overseeing project timelines, budgets, and cross‑functional collaboration. Epic Games announced the appointment of Kelly Ekins as Director of Communications.
Ekins comes from Unity, where she held the title of Senior Director of Global PR for the Games and Made with Unity program. Prior to Unity, she spent time at Warner Brothers Games Montreal as Studio Lead for Game Marketing and Communications, and she originally joined Unity in 2018 as Marketing Lead for Media and Entertainment. Housemarque co‑founder and Managing Director Ilari Kuittinen is stepping down after 31 years with the studio. Kuittinen co‑founded Housemarque in 1995 alongside Harri Tikkanen after merging their companies Bloodhouse and Terramarque.
"Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate," Kuittinen reflected. "We were in the right place at the right time throughout three decades of massive industry growth, which allowed us to stay fiercely independent for 26 years before joining the PlayStation Studios family." He continued, "We have planned this leadership transition carefully behind the scenes. On July 1, Sami ‘Haxu’ Hakala officially assumed the Managing Director role, and I have continued to support him and the leadership team to ensure smooth operational continuity. Housemarque’s strategy and creative vision are in excellent hands." Tamara Feiman has been appointed CEO of Lion Studios, the publishing arm of Tripledot Studios.
Feiman began her career at Lion in 2020 as EMEA Business Development Lead and later served as Publishing General Manager. "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 how we collaborate with our partner studios. Together we’ve taken risks, learned quickly, and turned great ideas into games played by millions." "Lion has never been about any single individual. I’m fortunate to work with an incredible team across publishing, growth, product, engineering, and market intelligence, as well as our talented studio partners worldwide," she added.
Heather Sangria has joined Sega of America as Community Manager. Prior to this, she 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 was promoted to Senior Product Manager for Call of Duty at Activision Blizzard.
Chen began her Activision career in 2020 as a Financial Analyst, later moving into product management before earning this senior title. Scot McCarron also earned a promotion at Activision Blizzard, becoming Senior Director of Product Management for Call of Duty.
McCarron originally joined Activision in 2018 as Product Marketing Manager for emerging franchises and later served as Director of Product Management on the Call of Duty series. These moves illustrate the dynamic nature of talent flow within the gaming industry, highlighting both the emergence of new leadership and the continuation of seasoned professionals driving forward some of the most influential titles and studios worldwide.