Keeping up with the constant flow of hires, promotions, and departures in the video‑game sector can be a real challenge. To make it easier for readers, we regularly assemble these movements into concise round‑ups. If your organization has experienced notable staffing changes that belong in this list, please forward the employee’s name, new title, company, as well as their previous role and employer to newhires@gamesindustry.biz.
Catherine Bygrave has been named the head of commercial for Code Wizards Group. Bygrave arrives with a robust background in business development and commercial strategy.
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.
"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 organization and help drive the business forward into its next phase." Stuart Muckley, CEO of Code Wizards Group, echoed the enthusiasm: "We are delighted to welcome Catherine to our leadership team.
The games industry has evolved rapidly in recent years, and Catherine’s experience makes her the ideal partner to guide Code Wizards toward the next level of growth and innovation." In other news, 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 senior roles, including Head of Global Communications, Director of Public Relations and Global Communication, and finally Vice President of PR and Communication, overseeing the company’s worldwide messaging and brand strategy.
Daniel Smith has taken on the role of Executive Producer at Playground Games. Smith’s previous experience includes serving as Executive Producer at Turn 10 Studios, where he managed large‑scale product development pipelines and production operations.
He also spent nine years at Xbox Game Studios Publishing, first as a senior producer and later as a games producer, where he was responsible for overseeing the Xbox publishing portfolio and coordinating cross‑functional teams. Gero Micciché has been appointed Lead Producer at 2K and its subsidiary Hangar 13 Games. Micciché’s career spans several high‑profile studios: he was Development Director on the Battlefield series at Criterion Games, and he has also held development director and producer positions at Electronic Arts, Codemasters, and Gameloft, giving him a broad perspective on both AAA and mid‑tier production processes. Bloober Team announced the addition of Tymon Smektala as Executive Producer for its horror‑focused imprint, 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. He explained his motivation for the move: "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." Vik Agarwal has joined the product team at Roblox.
Prior to this, Agarwal was a product leader at Meta and served as Lead Product Manager at Zynga. His earlier career includes product management roles at Electronic Arts and Amazon Game Studios, giving him a well‑rounded view of both social and traditional gaming ecosystems.
Finally, Daniel Loane has been named Principal Game Designer at Zynga. Loane’s background includes a stint as Senior Game Designer 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 ongoing dynamism of the gaming industry, where talent moves across studios and platforms, bringing fresh ideas and expertise to new projects. As companies continue to expand their portfolios and explore emerging technologies such as cloud gaming, virtual reality, and AI‑driven design, the demand for seasoned professionals who can navigate both creative and commercial challenges remains high. The individuals highlighted above exemplify the kind of leadership that can help studios adapt to shifting market trends, foster innovative development practices, and ultimately deliver compelling experiences to players worldwide.
Staying informed about these personnel shifts can provide valuable insight into where the industry is headed, which studios are investing in growth, and which skill sets are becoming increasingly valuable. Whether you are a developer, publisher, or enthusiast, tracking these movements offers a window into the strategic priorities shaping the future of interactive entertainment.