Jobs roundup: September 2026 | Amir Satvat joins 1Up Ventures as a general

What the report says

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] Satvat joins 1Up Ventures as a general partnerAmir 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."Lasse Seppänen leaves SupercellLasse Seppänen has announced his departure from Supercell after seven years.

Seppänen joined the company as a producer in 2019, holding several senior roles including head of game production services and general manager for Supercell London."Now it's time to follow my passion for creating new game IPs again," said Seppänen. "I'm staying in the UK, and in 2027 I'm planning to start my own studio once again - more on that when the time is right."Giles Derrington joins Take-Two InteractiveTake-Two Interactive has appointed Giles Derrington as director of global affairs UK. Derrington previously worked at TikTok as head of public affairs UK.Jess Pearce | Senior people partner, Kepler InteractiveJess Pearce has been promoted to senior people partner at Kepler Interactive.

Key details

Pearce joined Kepler as a people advisor in 2022, moving to people partner in 2024.Shreya Godha | Producer, PlaySimple GamesShreya Godha has been promoted to producer at PlaySimple Games. Godha was previously associate producer at the developer.Kelly Ekins joins Epic Games as director of communicationsEpic Games has appointed Kelly Ekins as director of communications. Ekins previously worked at Unity as senior director of global PR in its Games and Made with Unity Program.Ekins joined Unity in 2018 as marketing lead for media and entertainment after her tenure at Warner Brothers Games Montreal as studio lead for game marketing and communications.Housemarque co-founder and managing director Ilari Kuittinen steps downHousemarque 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 StudiosTamara 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.

More from the announcement

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 AmericaHeather Sangria has joined Sega of America as appointed community manager. Sangria previously served as contract social strategist and community lead at One More Game.