Brian Ward has announced his resignation from the role of chief executive officer at Savvy Games Group, a development confirmed by an internal memorandum that Bloomberg obtained. 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 wrote, "As Savvy embarks on its next period of transformational growth, this is the right time for new leadership for that evolution," underscoring his belief that a change at the top will help the organization seize upcoming opportunities. The interim reins will be taken up by Turqi Alnowaiser, who currently serves as the deputy governor of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), and heads its International Investments Division.
Alnowaiser will act as the temporary chief executive while the board conducts a search for a permanent successor. Ward’s tenure at Savvy Games Group began when the firm was created in 2021. Over the past few years, he has overseen a massive capital infusion—approximately $37.8 billion—aimed at bolstering Saudi Arabia’s footprint in the worldwide video‑game sector.
The group itself was founded and is wholly owned by the PIF, a fact Ward has repeatedly linked to the kingdom’s broader strategy of diversifying its economy and driving social transformation beyond its traditional oil‑centric model. Under Ward’s leadership, Savvy pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy. Notably, the company purchased Moonton, a developer best known for the mobile title “Mobile Legends,” from Chinese conglomerate ByteDance for roughly $6 million earlier this year.
In 2023, Savvy closed a landmark deal to acquire Scopely, a U.S.-based mobile gaming powerhouse, for an estimated $4.9 billion. These transactions were part of a broader plan to assemble a portfolio of studios that could produce globally competitive games and create a robust pipeline of intellectual property under Saudi ownership. Before joining Savvy, Ward built a distinguished career in the gaming industry, holding senior positions at several iconic firms.
He spent time at Electronic Arts, where he contributed to the launch of major franchises, later moved to Microsoft’s Xbox division overseeing console strategy, and also served in a leadership capacity at Activision, gaining experience across both development and publishing sides of the business. Ward’s departure comes on the heels of a monumental deal in which the PIF led a consortium to acquire Electronic Arts for a staggering $55 billion. The acquisition, one of the largest in the history of the gaming sector, has sparked internal debate within Savvy about how two massive Saudi‑backed gaming entities will be coordinated and managed.
Sources familiar with the situation, who requested anonymity, told Bloomberg that the EA purchase raised concerns about potential overlaps, resource allocation, and strategic direction for both companies. Industry observers note that the timing of Ward’s exit may reflect a strategic recalibration. With the PIF now controlling two of the world’s largest gaming enterprises, aligning their visions while preserving distinct brand identities could prove challenging. The interim appointment of Alnowaiser, a senior figure within the PIF’s investment arm, suggests that the sovereign fund intends to maintain close oversight during this transitional period.
Looking ahead, Savvy Games Group is expected to continue its expansion agenda, leveraging the substantial financial backing of the PIF to acquire additional studios, invest in emerging technologies such as cloud gaming and artificial intelligence, and nurture local talent in Saudi Arabia. The organization’s stated mission remains to diversify the kingdom’s economic base, create high‑skill jobs, and position Saudi Arabia as a hub for creative digital content. Stakeholders will be watching closely to see how the interim leadership navigates the integration challenges posed by the EA acquisition, as well as how the company balances its ambitious growth targets with the need for operational cohesion.
The next few months will likely involve strategic reviews, potential restructuring, and possibly the announcement of a permanent CEO who can steer Savvy through the complex landscape of global gaming while aligning with the broader objectives of the Public Investment Fund. In summary, Brian Ward’s resignation marks the end of a formative chapter for Savvy Games Group, a period characterized by massive investment, high‑profile acquisitions, and a clear push to embed Saudi Arabia within the international gaming ecosystem. Turqi Alnowaiser’s interim stewardship will serve as a bridge to the next leadership era, as the organization strives to fulfill its vision of transformative growth and economic diversification.