Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, promotions, and departures across the video‑game sector can be a daunting task. To make it easier for readers, we regularly compile these personnel movements into concise round‑ups. If you know of any noteworthy appointments or changes at your studio, feel free to forward the individual’s name, new title, and company (along with their previous position and employer) to newhires@gamesindustry.biz.
One of the most significant additions this month is Catherine Bygrave, who has been named Head of Commercial for Code Wizards Group. Bygrave brings a wealth of experience to the role. She previously held the position of Business Development Director at Sumo Games, and before that she spent ten years at Activision, contributing to flagship franchises such as Call of Duty and Destiny. Her résumé also includes senior commercial and strategic responsibilities at Gfinity, Humble Games, and Sumo Digital, giving her a broad perspective on both indie and AAA publishing models.
"I have followed Code Wizards throughout my career and have always admired the team’s ethos and performance," Bygrave said in a statement. "I’m thrilled to join the organization and help drive the business forward in this next phase of growth." Stuart Muckley, CEO of Code Wizards Group, echoed the enthusiasm: "Catherine’s arrival is a major boost for our leadership team.
The games industry has been evolving rapidly over the past few years, and her expertise is exactly what we need to accelerate Code Wizards to the next level." In other news, CD Projekt Red has promoted Michał Platkow‑Gilewski to Vice President of Global Communications and Marketing. Platkow‑Gilewski first joined the Polish studio in 2011 as Head of Marketing. Over the ensuing decade he progressed through a series of increasingly senior roles, including Head of Global Communications, Director of Public Relations and Global Communication, and finally Vice President of PR and Communication.
His deep familiarity with the brand and its worldwide audience positions him well to steer the company’s messaging as it continues to expand its portfolio beyond the Witcher franchise. Playground Games also announced a new executive producer: Daniel Smith. Smith arrives from Turn 10 Studios, where he oversaw large‑scale product development and production pipelines. Prior to that, he spent nine years at Xbox Game Studios Publishing, serving as Senior Producer and Games Producer while managing the studio’s extensive publishing slate.
His experience in both the racing genre and broader console publishing should prove valuable as Playground continues to develop open‑world titles. At 2K and its subsidiary Hangar 13 Games, Gero Micciché has been appointed Lead Producer.
Micciché’s background includes a stint as Development Director on the Battlefield series at Criterion Games, as well as development and production leadership roles at Electronic Arts, Codemasters, and Gameloft. His track record of delivering high‑profile, technically sophisticated projects suggests he will help Hangar 13 maintain its reputation for cinematic, narrative‑driven experiences.
Bloober Team’s horror‑focused imprint, Broken Mirror Games, welcomed Tymon Smektala as Executive Producer. Smektala spent 13 years at Techland, most recently serving as Franchise Director after joining the company in 2013 as a game designer. In his new role, he will guide the creative direction of the imprint, curate its portfolio, and collaborate with external studios to inject fresh perspectives into the horror genre. "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 new perspectives on horror in gaming," Smektala explained.
Roblox has added Vik Agarwal to its product team. Agarwal previously held senior product leadership positions at Meta and served as Lead Product Manager at Zynga. Earlier in his career he worked as a Product Manager for both Electronic Arts and Amazon Game Studios, giving him a broad understanding of social, mobile, and console product ecosystems. His expertise is expected to enhance Roblox’s tools for creators and improve the overall user experience.
Finally, Zynga announced that Daniel Loane has been appointed Principal Game Designer. Loane’s prior experience includes a Senior Game Designer role at Fortis Games, as well as senior design positions at ZeniMax Online Studios, NetherRealm Studios, and King.
His diverse background across mobile, online, and console titles equips him to contribute to Zynga’s expanding portfolio of social and casual games. These appointments collectively illustrate the dynamic nature of talent movement within the gaming industry. Companies are continually seeking leaders who can navigate an ever‑changing market, drive innovative product strategies, and foster creative cultures. As studios grow and new technologies emerge, the demand for seasoned professionals with cross‑disciplinary experience—spanning development, publishing, marketing, and product management—remains high.
Keeping an eye on these personnel shifts can provide valuable insight into where the industry is heading and which studios are positioning themselves for future success.