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 periodic round‑ups that capture the most noteworthy personnel moves across the industry. If you know of a new appointment or a transition that belongs in this list, please forward the individual's name, new title, new company, as well as their previous role and employer 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 for Tencent Games, where he helped shape the company’s strategic expansion. Satvat also founded and runs Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an initiative that assists job‑seekers in finding positions within the gaming field. "I wanted a role where the impact of my work would be more immediate and where I could help people get back to work on games," Satvat explained. "My goal has always been to turn more developers' dreams of creating games into reality.
I also wanted to work with smaller studios, because I have a deep affection for indie‑scale projects, and I wanted to be part of a community‑first environment." He continued: "My final wish was to collaborate with colleagues who share the same values and integrity that I strive for. Accepting 1Up’s invitation feels like all those wishes are finally coming together." Satvat added that he sees 1Up as a crucial player in the broader games ecosystem and hopes its distinctive investment approach endures for many years. Lasse Seppänen announced his departure from Supercell after a seven‑year tenure.
He joined Supercell in 2019 as a producer and later held senior positions such as Head of Game Production Services and General Manager of Supercell London. "Now it’s time 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 – more details will follow when the time is right." Take‑Two Interactive 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 oversaw the platform’s government relations and policy strategy.
Jess Pearce earned a promotion to Senior People Partner at Kepler Interactive. Pearce originally joined Kepler in 2022 as a People Advisor and moved up to People Partner in 2024 before receiving her latest title. Shreya Godha has been elevated to Producer at PlaySimple Games after previously working as an Associate Producer with the developer. Epic Games appointed Kelly Ekins as Director of Communications.
Ekins came from Unity, where she was Senior Director of Global PR for the Games and Made with Unity program. Her Unity career began in 2018 as Marketing Lead for Media and Entertainment after a stint at Warner Brothers 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 and Harri Tikkanen founded Housemarque in 1995 following the merger of their companies Bloodhouse and Terramarque.
Reflecting on his three‑decade journey, Kuittinen said, "I feel incredibly fortunate. We were in the right place at the right time for three decades of remarkable 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 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 previously served as Publishing General Manager and began her career at Lion Studios in 2020 as the 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 the way we collaborate with our partner studios. Together we take risks, learn quickly, and turn great ideas into games played by millions." She continued, "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 around the world." Heather Sangria 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 began her Activision career as a Financial Analyst in 2020, later moving into product management before earning her senior title.
Scot McCarron also received a promotion at Activision Blizzard, advancing to Senior Director of Product Management for Call of Duty. McCarron originally joined Activision in 2018 as a Product Marketing Manager for emerging franchises and later served as Director of Product Management on the Call of Duty franchise before his latest elevation.
These movements illustrate the dynamic nature of talent within the gaming sector, where seasoned veterans and emerging leaders alike continue to shape the future of interactive entertainment.