Brian Ward has announced his resignation from the role of chief executive officer at Savvy Games Group, as disclosed in an internal memorandum obtained by Bloomberg. In his farewell note, Ward emphasized that the company is entering a new phase of ambitious expansion and that fresh leadership is essential to guide this transformation. "As Savvy embarks on its next period of transformational growth, this is the right time for new leadership for that evolution," he wrote, underscoring the strategic timing of his departure.
The interim stewardship of the organization will be taken over by Turqi Alnowaiser, who currently serves as the deputy governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and heads its International Investments Division. Alnowaiser will act as the temporary CEO until a permanent successor is identified, ensuring continuity in the group’s operations and strategic initiatives. Ward’s tenure at Savvy Games Group began at the company’s inception in 2021, when the PIF launched the venture as a wholly‑owned subsidiary with the aim of establishing a robust Saudi foothold in the worldwide video‑game market.
Over the past three years, Ward has overseen a massive capital infusion—approximately $37.8 billion—dedicated to acquiring talent, technology, and intellectual property that would accelerate Saudi Arabia’s presence in the global gaming ecosystem. He has repeatedly framed the initiative as a cornerstone of the kingdom’s broader economic diversification and social transformation agenda, describing the PIF’s involvement as a catalyst for creating new industries beyond oil.
Under Ward’s leadership, Savvy Games Group pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy. Notably, the firm purchased Moonton, the creator of the popular mobile title “Mobile Legends,” from ByteDance for a reported $6 million earlier this year. In addition, Savvy closed a landmark deal in 2023 to acquire Scopely, a leading mobile game publisher, for roughly $4.9 billion.
These transactions were designed to give Savvy a diversified portfolio of both development studios and publishing capabilities, positioning the group to compete with established Western and Asian players. Before his appointment at Savvy, Ward accumulated extensive experience in the gaming sector, holding senior positions at Electronic Arts, Microsoft’s Xbox division, and Activision. His background in both console and mobile gaming gave him a unique perspective on how to integrate Saudi capital with industry expertise, a blend that the PIF believed would accelerate the kingdom’s strategic objectives.
Ward’s exit comes on the heels of a major corporate development: the acquisition of Electronic Arts by a consortium led by the PIF for $55 billion. The deal, one of the largest in the history of the gaming industry, has raised questions about how two massive Saudi‑backed gaming entities will coexist and be managed.
According to sources familiar with the situation, the EA purchase sparked internal concerns at Savvy regarding potential overlaps in governance, resource allocation, and strategic direction. These worries reportedly contributed to Ward’s decision to step down, although he has not publicly linked his resignation to the EA transaction.
The transition to Alnowaiser’s interim leadership is expected to be smooth, given his deep familiarity with the PIF’s investment philosophy and his oversight of international deals. As deputy governor, Alnowaiser has been instrumental in guiding the fund’s cross‑border investments, and his experience should help maintain the momentum of Savvy’s growth plans while the board conducts a thorough search for a permanent CEO.
Looking ahead, industry analysts suggest that Savvy Games Group will continue to pursue a dual strategy of acquiring established studios and nurturing homegrown talent within Saudi Arabia. The PIF’s long‑term vision includes building a self‑sustaining gaming ecosystem that can produce globally competitive titles, create high‑skill jobs, and contribute to the kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives.
The interim period may also be used to reassess the integration of Savvy’s portfolio with the newly acquired EA assets, ensuring that synergies are maximized without cannibalizing existing operations. In summary, Brian Ward’s departure marks the end of a formative chapter for Savvy Games Group, during which the company secured billions in funding, executed high‑profile acquisitions, and laid the groundwork for Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a significant player in the global gaming arena. Turqi Alnowaiser’s appointment as acting CEO provides a steady hand while the organization evaluates its next steps, balancing the ambitious growth targets set by the PIF with the practical challenges of managing an increasingly complex portfolio of gaming businesses.