Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, departures, and promotions in the video‑game sector can be a real challenge. That’s why we put together these periodic round‑ups, gathering the most noteworthy personnel moves in one convenient place. 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.
Prior to this, he was the Business Development Director at Tencent Games, where he helped shape the company’s growth strategy across multiple regions. Satvat also founded and runs Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an initiative designed to connect job seekers with opportunities throughout the gaming industry.
"I wanted a role where the impact of my decisions would be felt directly by a team, and where I could help people get back to work," Satvat explained. "I’ve always been passionate about turning aspiring developers’ dreams into reality, especially within smaller studios, which I love for their creativity and agility. I also value a community‑first environment." He added, "My final wish was to collaborate with colleagues who share the same values and integrity I strive for.
Accepting 1Up’s invitation feels like all those wishes are coming together." Satvat also praised 1Up’s unique position in the ecosystem: "1Up is a crucial player in the games investment landscape, and I’m committed to ensuring its distinctive approach endures for as long as possible." Lasse Seppänen announced his exit from Supercell after a seven‑year tenure. He joined the company in 2019 as a producer and subsequently held 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 IPs," Seppänen said. He plans to stay in the UK and aims to launch his own studio in 2027, promising more details when the timing is right.
Take‑Two Interactive has named Giles Derrington as Director of Global Affairs for the UK. Derrington previously served as Head of Public Affairs for TikTok in the United Kingdom, where he managed government relations and regulatory strategy. 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 was elevated to People Partner in 2024 before taking on this senior role. Shreya Godha was promoted to Producer at PlaySimple Games after previously serving as an Associate Producer. In her new capacity, she will oversee the full production pipeline for upcoming titles. Epic Games announced the appointment of 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 starting in 2018, after a stint at Warner Bros. Games Montreal as Studio Lead for Game Marketing and Communications.
Ilari Kuittinen, co‑founder and Managing Director of Housemarque, stepped down after 31 years with the studio. Kuittinen co‑founded Housemarque in 1995 alongside Harri Tikkanen after merging their respective companies, Bloodhouse and Terramarque. Reflecting on his career, Kuittinen said, "I feel incredibly fortunate.
We were in the right place at the right time throughout three decades of 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 seamless 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 became Publishing General Manager. "I joined Lion six years ago and have had the privilege of growing alongside the company through its biggest successes, challenges, and transformations," Feiman said. "What makes Lion special is how we collaborate with our partner studios. Together we take risks, learn quickly, and turn great ideas into games enjoyed by millions." She added, "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 talented studio partners worldwide." 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 management role at Undead Labs. Emily Rose Chen was promoted to Senior Product Manager for Call of Duty at Activision Blizzard.
Chen started at Activision in 2020 as a Financial Analyst, moved into product management, and has now taken on senior responsibilities for the franchise. Scot McCarron earned a promotion to Senior Director of Product Management for Call of Duty, also at Activision Blizzard. McCarron joined the company in 2018 as a Product Marketing Manager for emerging franchises, later becoming Director of Product Management for Call of Duty before his latest elevation.
These moves illustrate the dynamic nature of talent flow within the gaming world, highlighting both seasoned veterans embarking on new ventures and rising stars stepping into greater leadership roles. The industry continues to evolve rapidly, and the people driving that change are as diverse and ambitious as the games they help create.