Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, promotions, and departures across 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 role changes within your organization that belong in this list, please forward the relevant details – the name of the individual, their new title, the company they are joining, as well as 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 rich background in business development and commercial strategy. She most recently held the role of Business Development Director at Sumo Games, where she was responsible for forging new partnerships and expanding market reach. Prior to that, she spent ten years at Activision, contributing to flagship franchises such as Call of Duty and Destiny, and gaining deep insight into large‑scale live‑service operations. Her résumé also includes senior commercial and strategic positions at Gfinity, Humble Games, and Sumo Digital, where she helped shape monetisation models and drive revenue growth.
"I have followed Code Wizards throughout my career and have always admired the team's ethos and performance," Bygrave said. "I am thrilled to join the organisation and support the business as it embarks on its next phase of development." Stuart Muckley, CEO of Code Wizards Group, added: "We are delighted to welcome Catherine to our leadership team. The games industry has undergone significant transformation over the past few years, and Catherine’s experience makes her the ideal partner to help Code Wizards reach 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 progressed through a series of increasingly senior roles, including Head of Global Communications, Director of Public Relations and Global Communication, and most recently Vice President of PR and Communication. His tenure has seen the launch of several high‑profile titles, the expansion of the company’s brand presence worldwide, and the development of comprehensive communication strategies that balance community engagement with media relations.
Daniel Smith has been appointed Executive Producer at Playground Games. Smith brings a wealth of production expertise, having previously served as Executive Producer at Turn 10 Studios, where he oversaw the development of large‑scale racing titles and managed complex production pipelines. Before that, he spent nine years at Xbox Game Studios Publishing, holding senior producer and games producer positions and supervising the studio’s publishing portfolio across multiple platforms.
Gero Micciché has taken on the role of Lead Producer at 2K and Hangar 13 Games. Micciché’s background includes a stint as Development Director on the Battlefield series at Criterion Games, as well as senior development and producer responsibilities at Electronic Arts, Codemasters, and Gameloft. His experience spans both AAA and mid‑tier projects, giving him a broad perspective on production workflows, team leadership, and cross‑functional collaboration. Bloober Team has appointed Tymon Smektala as Executive Producer for its curated horror label, Broken Mirror Games.
Smektala spent 13 years at Techland, most recently serving as Franchise Director after joining the company in 2013 as a game designer. During his time at Techland, he contributed to the development of several acclaimed titles, honing his skills in narrative design, project management, and franchise stewardship. "After more than 13 years at Techland, I’m taking on a new challenge: leading the imprint, shaping its creative direction and portfolio, and working with talented external studios to bring fresh perspectives on horror in gaming," Smektala explained.
Vik Agarwal has joined Roblox’s product team. Agarwal arrives from Meta, where he held a senior product leadership role, and previously served as Lead Product Manager at Zynga.
His career also includes product management positions at Electronic Arts and Amazon Game Studios, giving him a comprehensive understanding of product development cycles, user acquisition, and monetisation in both social and traditional gaming environments. Daniel Loane has been named Principal Game Designer at Zynga. Loane’s prior experience includes a tenure as Senior Game Designer at Fortis Games, as well as senior design roles at ZeniMax Online Studios, NetherRealm Studios, and King. His portfolio reflects a strong focus on gameplay systems, player engagement, and live‑service design, making him well‑suited to drive Zynga’s future titles.
These appointments reflect a broader trend of seasoned veterans moving into leadership positions as the industry continues to evolve. Companies are increasingly seeking leaders who not only understand the creative side of game development but also possess strong commercial acumen, strategic vision, and the ability to navigate the complex landscape of global publishing, community management, and emerging technologies. As the market matures, the blend of creative talent and business expertise becomes ever more critical for sustaining growth and delivering compelling experiences to players worldwide. Overall, the October round‑up showcases a diverse set of moves across publishers, developers, and platform providers, underscoring the dynamic nature of talent mobility within the gaming sector.