Brian Ward announced his departure from the role of chief executive at Savvy Games Group, a move confirmed by an internal memorandum obtained by Bloomberg. In his farewell note, Ward explained that the company is entering a new phase of "transformational growth" and that fresh leadership is essential to guide this evolution.
He expressed confidence that a change at the helm would better position Savvy for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The interim appointment will be filled by Turqi Alnowaiser, who currently serves as a deputy governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and leads its International Investments Division.
Alnowaiser will assume the duties of acting CEO on a temporary basis while the board conducts a thorough search for a permanent successor. His extensive experience in managing large‑scale sovereign‑wealth investments is expected to provide stability during the transition. Ward has been at the forefront of Savvy Games Group since its inception in 2021. Over the past three years, he has overseen a massive infusion of capital—approximately $37.8 billion—aimed at establishing Saudi Arabia as a formidable player in the worldwide video‑game market.
The fund’s ambitious strategy, which Ward often described as part of the kingdom’s broader economic diversification and social transformation agenda, seeks to shift the nation’s reliance away from oil and toward high‑growth, creative industries. Under Ward’s stewardship, Savvy Games Group pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy, securing several high‑profile development studios. Notably, the company purchased Moonton, the creator of the popular mobile title "Mobile Legends," from Chinese tech giant Bytedance for roughly $6 million earlier this year.
In 2023, Savvy completed a landmark deal to acquire Scopely, a leading mobile game publisher, for $4.9 billion—one of the largest transactions ever in the mobile gaming sector. These purchases were designed to build a diversified portfolio of IPs, talent, and technology that could compete on a global stage.
Before joining Savvy, Ward accumulated a wealth of experience at some of the most influential firms in the interactive entertainment industry. He held senior positions at Electronic Arts, where he contributed to the company’s live‑service initiatives; at Microsoft’s Xbox division, where he helped shape console strategy; and at Activision, where he was involved in major franchise development. This background gave him a unique perspective on how to blend Western gaming expertise with the strategic goals of a sovereign‑wealth fund. Ward’s resignation comes just weeks after the PIF‑led consortium finalized a $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts, a deal that reshaped the competitive landscape of the global gaming market.
According to Bloomberg sources, the EA purchase sparked internal debates within Savvy about how two massive Saudi‑backed gaming entities would be coordinated and governed. Some employees expressed concerns about potential overlaps in strategy, resource allocation, and corporate culture, prompting the board to consider a leadership change as a way to address these uncertainties. The appointment of Turqi Alnowaiser as interim CEO signals the PIF’s intent to keep the organization’s strategic direction firmly aligned with its national objectives. Alnowaiser’s role will likely involve overseeing ongoing integration projects, ensuring that the newly acquired studios continue to operate smoothly, and maintaining relationships with key partners in the industry.
He will also be responsible for steering Savvy through a period of heightened scrutiny from both investors and regulators, who are watching closely to see how the Saudi sovereign‑wealth fund manages its expanding footprint in a sector traditionally dominated by Western companies. Looking ahead, Savvy Games Group is expected to continue its push for further acquisitions, talent development, and the creation of original content that can appeal to a global audience. The company’s long‑term vision includes establishing Saudi Arabia as a hub for game development, esports, and related digital entertainment services. By leveraging the massive financial resources of the PIF, Savvy aims to attract top-tier developers, foster innovation, and potentially launch a new generation of games that reflect both local cultural narratives and universal gaming trends.
Industry analysts note that the transition in leadership could bring both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, a fresh perspective might accelerate the implementation of new strategies, especially in areas such as live‑ops, cloud gaming, and virtual‑reality experiences. On the other hand, maintaining continuity in the midst of rapid expansion will require careful coordination to avoid disruptions to ongoing projects and to keep morale high among the diverse teams spread across multiple continents.
In summary, Brian Ward’s departure marks the end of a formative chapter for Savvy Games Group, during which the organization laid the groundwork for Saudi Arabia’s ambitious entry into the global gaming arena. Turqi Alnowaiser’s interim stewardship will be closely watched as the PIF seeks to ensure that the momentum built over the past three years is not only preserved but also amplified, positioning Savvy as a cornerstone of the kingdom’s broader vision for a diversified, knowledge‑based economy.