Update: Damon Baker joins Tencent, Larian studios appoints Emily Gera as senior writer
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 the appointees, new role and company, and prior role and company to [email protected].
Damon Baker | Head of strategic partners, Tencent Games
Tencent Games has hired Damon Baker as its new head of strategic partners for console and PC.
Baker joins the firm after last serving as vice president of partnerships and portfolio at Kepler Interactive.
His career experience includes 12 years of working at Nintendo, where he last held the role of head of partner management.
Baker then moved on to work as head of portfolio for global gaming partnerships and development at Microsoft.
He held a similar position during his one-year stint with venture capital firm Kowloon Nights.
Emily Gera | Senior writer, Larian Studios
Emily Gera has been appointed to the role of senior writer at Baldur’s Gate 3 maker, Larain Studios.
Gera joined the studio back in 2021 and served as a product manager.
Throughout her professional career, she’s worked as a video game consultant and freelance journalist for 16 years.
Gera’s work has appeared on The Verge, Variety, The Guardian and Eurogamer.
Byung Gyu Kim | Co-CEO, Netmarble
Netmarble has named Byung Gyu Kim its new co-CEO, joining Young-sig Kwon in the new role.
Kim will be formally appointed to the position in March after approval from a shareholders meeting.
He currently serves as vice president at Netmarble and joined the firm back in 2015.
“We expect the new co-CEO, Byung Gyu Kim, who is in his 40s and has expertise not only in legal affairs but also in overseas affiliate management and strategic planning, to contribute positively to Netmarble’s new changes and growth,” said Netmarble.
Alex Boucher | Reactional Music
Reactional Music has announced that Alex Boucher has joined its commercial and games partnerships team.
Boucher will work with the firm’s commercial team in the UK and Sweden.
Throughout his career, he co-founded the Game Dev Heroes industry event.
He also had a five-year stint as contract business development manager of MCV/Develop.
Boucher said,”Music is part of who I am and is a huge passion of mine, both creatively and technically. To be able to bring my two passions together and work with Reactional Music is a step that I am incredibly excited about.”
Bill Polson | CTO, Technicolor Creative Studios
Technicolor Creative Studios has appointed Bill Polson as its new Chief Technology Officer.
He will oversee the development of new technologies and the firm’s creative business operations.
Polson’s career history includes a 20-year stint at Pixar Animation Studios; he last served as director of industry strategy and chief technology officer. He also worked as director of pipeline and workflow for media entertainment firm MPC. Polson was with the company for two years.
In the announcement of his new role, Polson said, “Technicolor Creative Studios has always been a place where technology and creativity converge to produce extraordinary results. I’m thrilled to take on this new challenge and contribute to the incredible work that sets us apart in the industry.”
Sérgio Laranjeira | Chief technical officer, Metacore
Sérgio Laranjeira has been named CTO for game studio Metacore.
Laranjeira’s new responsibilities will include creating technology and infrastructure for the mobile game developer.
He previously served as senior director of engineering at Delivery Hero. Laranjeira was with the tech firm for three years. He also worked at financial services company N26 for a year as engineering manager.
“I’m embracing the challenge of a new tech setup that will help the company grow even further. Working in gaming has been a long-time dream for me, and I can’t wait to join the talented and passionate team in January and bring my experience to the benefit of creating new hit games,” Laranjeira said.
Sumo Group announces new groups of appointments
Sumo Group has announced new appointments within the company and its subsidiaries.
Negrican Sandalci is now product manager at Sumo Sheffield, whereas Amelia White has stepped into the producer role at Sumo Sheffield. Meanwhile, Mat Kemp has been appointed as senior producer manager at Sumo Sheffield. The studio also gains a new IT purchasing lead in Tom Rhodes.
Abbie Barker joins Sumo Sheffield as a junior IT support analyst, and Razi Abbas is named senior project manager at the studio. Sumo Group appointed Rachel Smith as marketing graphic designer. Meanwhile, Sumo Digital gains a new HR data and admin assistant in Chynna Gibney.
