With a 27-year career in entertainment, Ron Ashtiani began as an artist and animator before rising to creative director, founder, CEO, and now non-exec board director at Steamforged Games.
He launched his career during the video game boom of the ‘90s and 2000s, contributing to major studios before founding Atomhawk in 2009. Which he grew into a globally recognized visual design studio with teams in the UK and Canada, delivering work on three Marvel films, top TV productions, and over 30 acclaimed games.
After selling Atomhawk in 2017, Ron became Chairman of SockMonkey Studios, guiding it to a successful acquisition by Behaviour Interactive in 2023.
Still an artist at heart, Ron has authored three books, including The Art of Direction (2022), on storytelling in games and film. He’s been named to the BIMA Top 100 and GamesIndustry.biz UK Top 100, and is a proud BAFTA member.