It may be tough conserving observe of the varied comings and goings within the video games trade, which is why we compile them in semi-regular round-ups.
When you have new appointments or transitions in your organization that belong right here, please ship the names of appointees, new function and firm, and prior function and firm to newhires@gamesindustry.biz.
Sega Europe appoints Irina Kim as chief financial officer
Irina Kim has been appointed CFO of Sega Europe.
Kim joins Sega after serving as CFO and vice chairman at Product Insanity and Pixel United, each subsidiaries of Aristocrat Leisure.
With over twenty years of expertise, Kim has held financial management roles at a number of corporations, together with Unilever.
“I am excited to be becoming a member of Sega Europe at a pivotal second for the enterprise and to assist form its subsequent part of improvement,” mentioned Kim.
“Sega is without doubt one of the largest names in leisure, with an exceptional status for critically acclaimed experiences from its various and extremely succesful studios. I am wanting ahead to working with these proficient groups.”
Joost Hagesteijn | Common supervisor for Europe, Roblox
Joost Hagesteijn has joined Roblox in a newly created function, “reflecting the area’s rising strategic significance to the corporate.”
Hagesteijn will lead Roblox’s enterprise operations within the area and oversee the each day execution of its technique with native groups and companions.
Beforehand, Hagesteijn was normal supervisor for Northern Europe at Snap Inc. He additionally advises the boards of AI consultancy Ainigma and digital manufacturing company Capitola.
“I’m thrilled to be becoming a member of the corporate at such a pivotal second to assist scale our operations and to make sure that as we develop, we proceed to supply a protected, civil, and enriching expertise for tens of millions of our gamers and builders throughout the continent,” mentioned Hagesteijn.
Bing Gordon joins board of Nex, maker of Nex Playground
Business veteran Bing Gordon has joined the board of Nex, creator of Nex Playground.
Gordon co-founded Digital Arts and was its chief inventive officer. He additionally serves on the boards of a number of corporations, together with Take-Two Interactive and Amazon.
Nex CEO David Lee introduced the information on Substack, stating that Bing will assist “enhance the success fee of entrepreneurs and help the following technology of CEOs.
“Studying from him is a privilege. It is some of the significant elements of the journey.”
Kiki Wolfkill leaves Microsoft
Kiki Wolfkill, Head of Xbox Movie & TV, has introduced her departure from Microsoft.
Wolfkill joined Microsoft in 1998 as director of artwork, a task she held for 9 years. She later turned govt producer at 343 Industries and was promoted to move of Halo transmedia and leisure in 2015.
Wolfkill was additionally a Microsoft Associate for 13 years, holding roles such as head of Xbox IP enlargement and leisure, govt producer, and director of visible model.
Frederik Hammes | Managing director, Recreation Occasions GmbH
Frederik Hammes has been appointed managing director of Recreation Occasions GmbH, the organiser of Gamescom. He succeeds Stephan Reichart, who’s stepping all the way down to pursue new tasks.
Hammes has over twenty years of trade expertise, together with senior roles at Travian Video games. Reichart will help Hammes till Gamescom Dev ends in August 2026.
“This yr, Gamescom Dev is launching in a brand new format, that includes a contemporary identify and a good nearer integration with Gamescom, the world’s largest gaming occasion,” mentioned Hammes.
“Following sturdy progress in recent times, the time is correct to take the convention to the following degree and additional elevate its worldwide profile. At a time when developer conferences worldwide are present process important transformation, this presents a novel alternative to set new requirements by means of clear focus and renewed momentum. I very a lot look ahead to shaping this subsequent part along with the group.”
Recreation managing director Felix Falk added: “Stephan Reichart is a distinguished veteran of the German video games trade whose ardour and dedication have left an enduring mark. Over a number of a long time, he has performed a pivotal function in shaping the convention panorama, first by means of his personal occasion corporations and later as managing director of Recreation Occasions GmbH.
“Below his management, Gamescom Dev has advanced right into a premier occasion for sport builders. His intensive community, eager sense for modern codecs, and private dedication have been instrumental in establishing sport occasions GmbH in its present place. On behalf of the affiliation, I wish to categorical our honest thanks for his excellent contributions.”
Tim Schmitz appointed CEO of Astragon Leisure and Astragon Improvement as Julia Pfiffer steps down as co-CEO
Tim Schmitz has been appointed CEO of Astragon Leisure and Astragon Improvement as Julia Pfiffer departs as co-CEO.
The choice follows Pfiffer’s plans to “pursue different enterprise pursuits” and “mutual discussions between events,” mentioned dad or mum firm Everplay.
Pfiffer and Schmitz turned co-CEO of Astragon Leisure in January 2017 and Astrogon Improvement in Could 2025.
“We thank Julia for her worthwhile contribution to Astragon Leisure and Astragon Improvement, her dedication, and her management over the previous years, and need her all the most effective for the long run,” mentioned Everplay Group CEO Mikkel Weider.
Pfiffer added: “I’m grateful for my time at Astragon and for the collaboration with an incredible group. I’m happy with what we’ve achieved collectively and need the corporate, and everybody concerned, continued success going ahead.”
Smith Dela Pena | Efficiency advertising and marketing lead (Indignant Birds Dream Blast), Rovio
Rovio has appointed Smith Dela Pena as efficiency advertising and marketing lead on Indignant Birds Dream Blast.
On this function, Dela Pena will oversee acquisition technique, handle budgets, and coordinate cross-channel execution, aligning consumer acquisition with product and monetisation efforts.
Earlier than becoming a member of Rovio, Dela Pena was head of consumer acquisition at Mega Studio and held related roles at Gameloft, Funstage, and Playlab Video games.
Yolanda Zhang | Senior product supervisor (Diablo Immortal), Blizzard Leisure
Yolanda Zhang is now senior product supervisor for Diablo Immortal at Blizzard Leisure.
“I’m extraordinarily lucky to have gone from one dream firm to a different, and though the previous yr was a problem in itself, I’m tremendous grateful to everybody who supported, guided and rooted for me. I’m one very fortunate individual,” mentioned Zhang.
Beforehand, she was senior product supervisor at Scopely for over three years and held senior positions at Kongregate, Monarc Recreation Labs, and NHN Leisure.
CodeDev appoints Andy Norman as COO
Unreal Engine co-development studio CodeDev has appointed Andy Norman as COO.
Beforehand, Norman served as studio chief within the Key phrases Create Division. He joins current hires at CodeDev, together with technical director Steve Bedford and design director Liam McDonald.
Norman and CodeDev chair Rik Alexander beforehand led The Multiplayer Group (MPG). Alexander based MPG and managed its sale to Inconceivable in 2019. Norman later turned CEO and oversaw the £76.5 million acquisition by Key phrases Studios in 2023.
“That is the third time I’ve labored with Rik Alexander, and good issues at all times occur,” mentioned Norman. “CEO Myke Parrott is equally as pushed and dedicated.”
“Expertise has proven me that progress is an output of what you place in: the tradition and dealing practices. In the event you begin off with a purpose of hitting a selected margin or income, then that dictates lots concerning the enterprise and the way the relationships with companions function.
“We’ll as an alternative put these companions first: perceive and be invested in success, as they see it. I am speaking about workers as effectively as clients. We’ll goal to get these relationships proper. And that may produce long-term success.”
CEO Myke Parrott added: “Rik and Andy have a historical past of constructing trade titans. With our status for fixing the toughest issues in Unreal Engine, demand has reached some extent the place we’d like elite operational management to handle our trajectory.
“Andy is a grasp of nurturing tradition at scale, so he’s the right match to assist us develop.”
Tom Goldberger | Vp of gaming, DDA
Tom Goldberger has joined inventive communications company DDA as vice chairman of gaming.
“On the video games aspect, the group and I will likely be specialising in shopper communications for all features of gaming (console and PC), cellular, and gaming {hardware},” Goldberger mentioned about his new function.
“Our experience spans each native and international marketing campaign technique, specialist and mainstream press focusing on, launch inventive ideations, and far more.”
Earlier than becoming a member of DDA, Goldberger was senior public relations supervisor at Sq. Enix within the UK, the place he led over 70 launches in 5 years.
He additionally held senior PR roles at Ubisoft, Digital Arts, Premier PR, Crimson Bull Racing, and Athlon Video games.