The global games industry remains a dynamic landscape of constant movement, with top-tier talent frequently transitioning between major studios to navigate the evolving challenges of development, marketing, and commercial strategy. As the market shifts toward new business models and larger-scale production cycles, studios are strategically bolstering their leadership teams with seasoned veterans to ensure their upcoming projects hit the mark. The latest round of industry appointments reflects this trend, featuring significant executive changes at companies ranging from CD Projekt Red and Playground Games to Bloober Team and Zynga.
Michaël Platkow-Gilewski Elevated to VP of Global Communications and Marketing at CD Projekt Red
In a significant leadership consolidation for the Polish powerhouse behind The Witcher and Cyberpunk 2077, CD Projekt Red has announced the promotion of Michaël Platkow-Gilewski to the position of Vice President of Global Communications and Marketing.
Platkow-Gilewski is a veteran of the studio, having been a fixture within the company’s internal operations for well over a decade. His tenure began in 2011 when he joined the developer as head of marketing. Over the subsequent thirteen years, he has played an instrumental role in shaping the public image of CD Projekt Red’s biggest franchises, steering the company through the complex PR waters of major global releases and post-launch support cycles. Throughout his long career at the studio, he has occupied various pivotal roles, including head of global communications, director of public relations and global communication, and most recently, VP of PR and communication. His new role as VP of global communications and marketing signals a continued reliance on his extensive experience as the studio prepares for its next generation of titles, including the highly anticipated new entries in The Witcher series and the Cyberpunk universe.
Catherine Bygrave Joins Code Wizards Group as Head of Commercial
The commercial sector of the industry has seen a notable shift as well, with the Code Wizards Group announcing the appointment of Catherine Bygrave as its new head of commercial. Bygrave joins the organization with a deep, multifaceted background in both business development and strategic operations.
Bygrave’s industry pedigree is extensive. Prior to this appointment, she served as the business development director at Sumo Games. Her career also includes a formative decade-long stint at Activision, where she was deeply involved in the massive commercial operations behind industry juggernauts Call of Duty and Destiny. Beyond these major franchises, she has held senior commercial and strategic positions at Gfinity, Humble Games, and Sumo Digital, making her a highly experienced addition to the Code Wizards leadership team.
Reflecting on her move, Bygrave stated that she has long followed the trajectory of Code Wizards. "I have followed Code Wizards over my career and have always admired the team’s ethos and performance," she said. "I am excited to be part of the team and support the business in its next phase."
CEO Stuart Muckley welcomed the appointment, emphasizing the need for experienced leadership in an unpredictable market. "I’m so excited to have Catherine joining our leadership team," Muckley noted. "The games industry has been changing over the last few years and Catherine is the perfect person to help Code Wizards Group reach the next level."
Executive Shifts at Playground Games and 2K/Hangar 13
Development leadership also continues to be a focal point for major studios. Daniel Smith has stepped into the role of executive producer at Playground Games, the studio renowned for its work on the Forza Horizon series. Smith arrives at the studio following a high-profile stint as executive producer at Turn 10 Studios, where he oversaw large-scale product development and production operations. His experience is deeply rooted in the Xbox ecosystem, having spent nine years as a senior producer and games producer at Xbox Game Studios Publishing, where he managed a diverse portfolio of titles.
Simultaneously, 2K and Hangar 13 Games have confirmed the appointment of Gero Micciché as lead producer. Micciché brings a wealth of production experience to the team, having most recently served as a development director on the Battlefield franchise at Criterion Games. His professional background also includes tenure at Electronic Arts, Codemasters, and Gameloft, where he held various production and development director roles, making him well-equipped to handle the rigorous demands of large-scale, AAA game production.
Bloober Team Appoints Tymon Smektala to Lead Broken Mirror Games
Horror gaming specialist Bloober Team has made a strategic move to bolster its creative output by appointing Tymon Smektala as the executive producer of its curated horror imprint, Broken Mirror Games.
Smektala is a well-known figure in the industry, particularly for his extensive contributions to the Dying Light franchise during his 13-year tenure at Techland. Joining Techland in 2013 as a game designer, he eventually rose to the position of franchise director. His move to Bloober Team marks a significant transition in his career as he shifts his focus toward managing a broader portfolio of projects.
"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 new perspectives on horror in gaming," Smektala said of his new role. This appointment suggests that Bloober Team is looking to diversify its horror offerings by leveraging Smektala’s experience in franchise management and creative direction to guide the growth of its imprint.
Expanding Expertise at Roblox and Zynga
The mobile and live-service sectors continue to attract top talent from across the broader tech and gaming landscape. Roblox has strengthened its product team with the addition of Vik Agarwal, who arrives with a robust background in product management. Agarwal previously served as a product leader at Meta and as a lead product manager at Zynga. His experience is further complemented by his past work at Electronic Arts and Amazon Game Studios, positioning him as a veteran of the live-service model that is essential to the ongoing success of the Roblox platform.
Rounding out this series of industry moves, Daniel Loane has been appointed as the principal game designer at Zynga. Loane is a seasoned design professional who previously served as a senior game designer at Fortis Games. His resume includes significant roles at several prominent studios, including ZeniMax Online Studios, NetherRealm Studios, and King. His appointment underscores Zynga’s continued focus on refining its design pipeline and maintaining the competitive edge of its core mobile gaming portfolio.
As these professionals settle into their new roles, their contributions will likely play a significant part in the future direction of their respective companies, influencing everything from creative vision to the commercial viability of the next wave of interactive entertainment.