Keeping up with the constant flow of personnel changes in the video‑game sector can be a real challenge, which is why we regularly assemble concise round‑ups of the most noteworthy moves. If you know of any new hires, promotions, or departures that belong in this list, please forward the individual's name, new title, and company, along with their previous position and employer, to newhires@gamesindustry.biz. Catherine Bygrave has been named Head of Commercial for Code Wizards Group.
Bygrave arrives with a robust background in business development and commercial strategy. She previously held the role of Business Development Director at Sumo Games and spent ten years at Activision, where she contributed to flagship franchises such as Call of Duty and Destiny. In addition, she has occupied senior commercial and strategic positions at Gfinity, Humble Games, and Sumo Digital.
"I have followed Code Wizards throughout my career and have always admired the team’s ethos and performance," Bygrave said. "I’m thrilled to join the company and help drive the business forward in its next phase of growth." Stuart Muckley, CEO of Code Wizards Group, added: "We’re delighted to welcome Catherine to our leadership team.
The games industry has evolved rapidly over recent years, and Catherine’s experience makes her the ideal partner to guide Code Wizards to the next level of success." Michał Platkow‑Gilewski has been promoted to Vice President of Global Communications and Marketing at CD Projekt Red. Platkow‑Gilewski first joined CD Projekt Red in 2011 as Head of Marketing.
Over the ensuing years he has served as Head of Global Communications, Director of Public Relations and Global Communication, and most recently as VP of PR and Communication, overseeing the studio’s worldwide messaging and brand strategy. Daniel Smith has taken on the role of Executive Producer at Playground Games.
Smith previously served as Executive Producer at Turn 10 Studios, where he managed large‑scale product development pipelines and production teams. Prior to that, he spent nine years at Xbox Game Studios Publishing, acting as Senior Producer and Games Producer and overseeing the Xbox publishing portfolio across multiple titles.
Gero Micciché has been appointed Lead Producer for 2K and Hangar 13 Games. Micciché’s résumé includes a stint as Development Director on the Battlefield series at Criterion Games, as well as development director and producer roles at Electronic Arts, Codemasters, and Gameloft, giving him a broad perspective on AAA production pipelines. Bloober Team announced that Tymon Smektala will serve as Executive Producer for its curated horror label, Broken Mirror Games. Smektala spent 13 years at Techland, most recently as Franchise Director after joining the company in 2013 as a game designer.
"After more than a decade at Techland, I’m excited to take on a new challenge: leading this imprint, shaping its creative direction, and collaborating with external studios to bring fresh horror experiences to players," Smektala explained. Vik Agarwal has joined Roblox’s product team. Agarwal previously led product initiatives at Meta and served as Lead Product Manager at Zynga. His earlier career includes product manager positions at Electronic Arts and Amazon Game Studios, giving him a well‑rounded view of both social and traditional gaming ecosystems.
Daniel Loane has been named Principal Game Designer at Zynga. Loane’s background includes a senior game designer role at Fortis Games, as well as senior design positions at ZeniMax Online Studios, NetherRealm Studios, and King, where he contributed to a variety of live‑service and mobile titles. These appointments reflect the dynamic nature of the gaming industry, where seasoned professionals frequently shift between studios, bringing fresh ideas and expertise to new projects. The influx of talent into leadership and creative positions often signals upcoming strategic shifts, new IP development, or expanded focus on particular genres.
For example, Code Wizards Group’s decision to bring in a commercial veteran like Bygrave suggests an ambition to broaden its market reach and strengthen partnerships, while CD Projekt Red’s elevation of Platkow‑Gilewski underscores the studio’s commitment to maintaining a strong global brand presence as it continues to support its flagship series. Staying informed about such movements helps industry observers, investors, and gamers alike anticipate potential changes in development pipelines, marketing strategies, and overall market trends. As the sector continues to evolve—driven by advances in technology, shifting consumer preferences, and the rise of live‑service models—tracking these personnel shifts offers valuable insight into where the industry may be headed in the months and years ahead.
If you have additional updates or wish to correct any details, please reach out to the editorial team at newhires@gamesindustry.biz. We aim to keep the community well‑informed about the people shaping the games we love.