Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, promotions, and departures across the video‑game sector can be a real challenge. To make it easier for industry insiders and observers alike, we put together periodic round‑ups that capture the most noteworthy personnel moves. If you know of any new appointments, role changes, or exits that belong in this list, please forward the name, new title, new employer, as well as the previous position and company 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 publisher’s strategic partnerships. Satvat also founded and runs Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an initiative dedicated to helping job‑seekers find opportunities within the games field. "I wanted a more immediate link between the things I could influence and the impact on a team, especially when it comes to getting people back to work," Satvat explained.
"I wanted to see more creators’ dreams of building games become reality because of something I did. I also hoped to work in an environment that focuses on smaller studios, because I love games of that scale, and in a setting that puts community first." 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 role in the broader ecosystem: "1Up is a crucial player in the games landscape, and I want its distinctive approach to game investing to endure for as long as possible." Lasse Seppänen announced his exit from Supercell after a seven‑year tenure.
He joined the Finnish studio in 2019 as a producer and later 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. "I’ll stay in the UK, and in 2027 I plan to launch my own studio again – I’ll share more details when the moment 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 UK, where he managed the platform’s relationship with regulators and the media. Jess Pearce earned a promotion to Senior People Partner at Kepler Interactive. Pearce joined Kepler in 2022 as a People Advisor, moved to People Partner in 2024, and now oversees broader talent strategy for the publisher. Shreya Godha was elevated to Producer at PlaySimple Games after serving as an Associate Producer.
In her new capacity, she will lead development teams and coordinate cross‑functional efforts across the studio’s mobile 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 Unity, she spent time at Warner Brothers Games Montreal as Studio Lead for Marketing and Communications, and she began her career at Unity in 2018 as Marketing Lead for Media and Entertainment.
Housemarque’s co‑founder and Managing Director Ilari Kuittinen stepped down after an impressive 31‑year run. Kuittinen co‑founded the studio in 1995 alongside Harri Tikkanen after merging their companies Bloodhouse and Terramarque.
"Looking back, I feel immensely fortunate," Kuittinen reflected. "We were in the right place at the right time for three decades of extraordinary industry growth, which let us stay fiercely independent for 26 years before becoming part of PlayStation Studios." 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 supporting him and the leadership team until today to ensure complete operational continuity and stability. Housemarque’s strategy and creative vision are in exceptional hands." Tamara Feiman has been appointed CEO of Lion Studios, the publishing arm of Tripledot Studios.
Feiman previously served as Publishing General Manager, having started at Lion in 2020 as EMEA Business Development Lead. "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 work with our partner studios.
Together we take risks, learn quickly, and turn great ideas into games played by millions." "Lion has never been about a single person. I’m fortunate to work alongside 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 Sega, she worked as a contract Social Strategist and Community Lead at One More Game and held a digital strategy and community role at Undead Labs. Emily Rose Chen received a promotion to Senior Product Manager for Call of Duty at Activision Blizzard.
Chen originally joined the company in 2020 as a Financial Analyst, later moving into product management before assuming her senior role. Scot McCarron was promoted to Senior Director of Product Management for Call of Duty at Activision Blizzard. McCarron first arrived at Activision in 2018 as Product Marketing Manager for emerging franchises, later becoming Director of Product Management on the Call of Duty franchise before his latest elevation. These movements illustrate the dynamic nature of talent within the games industry, where leaders shift between development, publishing, and investment roles, often bringing fresh perspectives that shape the next generation of interactive experiences.