It can be difficult keeping track of the various comings and goings in the games industry, which is why we compile them in semi-regular round-ups.
If you have new appointments or transitions in your company that belong here, please send the names of appointees, new role and company, and prior role and company to [email protected].
Amir Satvat joins 1Up Ventures as a general partner
Amir Satvat has joined 1Up Ventures as general manager. Satvat previously served as business development director at Tencent Games.
He is also the founder and leader of Always Supporting the Games Community (ASGC), a resource of helping people find jobs in the games industry.
“I wanted to feel a more direct connection between the things I could influence and do with a team and putting people back to work,” said Satvat. “I wanted to see more people’s dreams of making games come true because of something I did. I also hoped I could work in a setting focused on smaller studios, because I love games of that size so much, and in a setting built around community first.
“My final wish was to work with colleagues who share the same values and integrity I try to hold myself to. In accepting the team’s invitation to join 1Up, I am seeing all of these wishes realised.”
He added: “1Up is a very important player in the games ecosystem, and I want to see its unique approach to games investing survive for as long as possible.”
Housemarque co-founder and managing director Ilari Kuittinen steps down
Housemarque co-founder and managing director Ilari Kuittinen has stepped down after 31 years at the studio. Kuittinen co-founded Housemarque with Harri Tikkanen in 1995 after merging their companies Bloodhouse and Terramarque.
“Looking back, I feel immensely fortunate,” said Kuittinen. “We had the luck of being in the right place at the right time during three decades of incredible industry growth, allowing us to stay fiercely independent for 26 years before finding a home within the PlayStation Studios family.”
“We have been planning this leadership transition carefully behind the scenes. On July 1, Sami ‘Haxu’ Hakala officially stepped into the managing director role, and I have continued supporting him and the leadership team until today to ensure complete operational continuity and stability. Housemarque’s strategy and creative vision are in exceptional hands.”
Tamara Feiman appointed CEO of Lion Studios
Tamara Feiman has been appointed CEO at Tripledot Studios’ Lion Studios. Feiman previously served as publishing general manager, having started her career at Lion Studios in 2020 as EMEA business development lead.
“I joined Lion six years ago,” said Feiman. “Since then, I’ve had the privilege of growing alongside the company through its biggest successes, challenges and transformations. But what has always made Lion special is how we work with our partner studios. Together, we’ve taken risks, learned quickly and turned great ideas into games played by millions.
“And 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 around the world.”
Heather Sangria | Community manager, Sega of America
Heather Sangria has joined Sega of America as appointed community manager. Sangria previously served as contract social strategist and community lead at One More Game. She also worked at Undead Labs as digital strategy and community manager.
Emily Rose Chen | Senior product manager, Call of Duty, Activision Blizzard
Emily Rose Chen has been promoted to senior product manager for Call of Duty at Activision Blizzard. Chen previously served as product manager, having joined as a financial analyst in 2020.
Scot McCarron | Senior director, product management, Call of Duty
Scot McCarron has been promoted to senior director of product management for Call of Duty at Activision Blizzard. McCarron previously served as director of product management on Call of Duty, having joined Activision in 2018 as product marketing manager for emerging franchises.