Understanding Savvy Games Group and Its Mission to Transform Saudi Arabia's Image

Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in the video game industry through its Public Investment Fund, with billions of dollars poured into the sector. The fund has acquired stakes in major gaming companies like Capcom, Nexon, and Nintendo, and has also invested in Activision Blizzard, Take-Two Interactive, and Electronic Arts. Savvy Games Group, a subsidiary of the PIF, has been actively investing in the gaming industry, including a $1 billion stake in Embracer Group and the acquisition of mobile publisher Scopely for $4.9 billion. The company has also invested in esports, including the acquisition of ESL Gaming and FaceIt, and has set aside $37.8 billion to develop Saudi Arabia's presence in the global gaming industry. CEO Brian Ward describes Savvy as a gaming and esports company aiming to become a major player globally and help grow the industry. The company consists of five operating companies: VOV, Savvy Games Studios, Nine66, the group's investment arm, and the ESL FaceIt Group. Ward emphasizes that Savvy operates like a normal commercial entity with autonomy over its business, despite being closely tied to the government. He highlights the company's commitment to treating employees fairly and building a diverse company, with 20% of C-level staff being women and a goal to increase this to 33%. Ward also addresses concerns about the company's connection to the Saudi government and its human rights record, stating that Savvy is a gaming company first and foremost, and that its operations are consistent with the values and culture of the gaming industry. He notes that the company does not discriminate in its hiring practices and aims to create a diverse and inclusive work environment. Ward also discusses the challenges of building a gaming company in a country with a complex human rights record, but emphasizes the transformation he sees in Saudi Arabia and the company's commitment to growing the gaming industry in the region. The company plans to continue investing in esports and gaming companies, with a focus on PC and AAA console games, and aims to establish Saudi Arabia as a hub for the gaming industry in the Middle East and North Africa.