Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, promotions, and departures across the games sector can be a real challenge. That’s why we put together periodic round‑ups that capture the most noteworthy personnel moves. 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 spent several years as Business Development Director at Tencent Games, where he helped shape the studio’s growth strategies and partnership initiatives. Satvat is also the founder and driving force behind Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), an organization dedicated to helping aspiring professionals locate opportunities within the gaming industry. "I wanted a position where I could see a direct link between the actions I take with a team and the impact on getting people back to work," Satvat explained.
"My goal has always been 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 have a deep affection for games of that scale, and I wanted to be part of a community‑first culture." He continued, "My final wish was to collaborate with colleagues who share the same values and integrity that I strive for. By accepting 1Up’s invitation, I feel those aspirations are coming true." Satvat added, "1Up is a crucial player in the gaming ecosystem, and I want its distinctive approach to game investment to endure for as long as possible." Lasse Seppänen announced that he will leave Supercell after a seven‑year tenure. He joined the Finnish powerhouse in 2019 as a producer and later assumed senior responsibilities, including Head of Game Production Services and General Manager of Supercell London.
"Now it’s time 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 when the timing is right." Take‑Two Interactive has appointed Giles Derrington as Director of Global Affairs for the UK. Derrington previously served as Head of Public Affairs UK at TikTok, where he managed the platform’s regulatory and policy engagement across the region.
Jess Pearce earned a promotion to Senior People Partner at Kepler Interactive. Pearce first joined Kepler in 2022 as a People Advisor and moved up to People Partner in 2024, overseeing talent strategy for the rapidly expanding publisher. Shreya Godha has been promoted to Producer at PlaySimple Games after serving as an Associate Producer.
In her new capacity, Godha will lead development teams and coordinate cross‑functional efforts to bring casual mobile titles to market. Epic Games named Kelly Ekins as its new Director of Communications. Ekins previously held the role of Senior Director of Global PR for Unity’s Games and Made‑with‑Unity program. She began her Unity tenure in 2018 as Marketing Lead for Media and Entertainment, following a stint at Warner Brothers Games Montreal where she was Studio Lead for Game Marketing and Communications.
Ilari Kuittinen, co‑founder and Managing Director of Housemarque, is stepping down after an impressive 31‑year career with the studio. Kuittinen and Harri Tikkanen founded Housemarque in 1995 after merging their respective 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 industry growth, which allowed us to stay fiercely independent for 26 years before becoming part of the PlayStation Studios family." He added, "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 until today 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 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 collaborate with our partner studios. Together we take risks, learn quickly, and turn great ideas into games played by millions." "Lion has never been about one 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 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 management role at Undead Labs. Emily Rose Chen has been promoted to Senior Product Manager for Call of Duty at Activision Blizzard. Chen started at the company as a Financial Analyst in 2020, later moving into product management before earning this senior title.
Scot McCarron has also advanced, becoming Senior Director of Product Management for Call of Duty at Activision Blizzard. 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 series.
These moves illustrate the dynamic nature of talent flow within the gaming ecosystem, highlighting both the emergence of new leaders and the evolution of seasoned veterans into fresh challenges. The industry continues to thrive on the exchange of ideas, expertise, and passion, ensuring that the games we love will keep evolving for years to come.