Brian Ward has announced his resignation from the chief executive position at Savvy Games Group, as confirmed by an internal memorandum obtained by Bloomberg. In his farewell note, Ward explained that the company is entering a new phase of ambitious expansion and that fresh leadership would be essential to guide this transformation.
He wrote, "As Savvy embarks on its next period of transformational growth, this is the right time for new leadership for that evolution," signalling both confidence in the organization’s trajectory and a personal decision to step aside. The interim helm will be taken by Turqi Alnowaiser, who currently serves as deputy governor of Saudi Arabia’s 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. His appointment underscores the close relationship between Savvy Games Group and its sole shareholder, the PIF, and reflects the fund’s intention to keep strategic oversight within its senior leadership circle during the transition.
Ward’s tenure at Savvy began with the company’s founding in 2021. Over the past three years, he has overseen a massive infusion of capital—approximately $37.8 billion—aimed at positioning Saudi Arabia as a significant player in the worldwide video‑game market. The investment strategy has focused on acquiring established development studios, forging partnerships, and building a pipeline of original content that can compete on a global scale. Under Ward’s direction, Savvy has pursued an aggressive acquisition agenda, most notably the purchase of Moonton, the creator of the popular mobile title “Mobile Legends,” from Bytedance for a reported $6 million earlier this year.
In 2023, Savvy completed a landmark $4.9 billion acquisition of Scopely, a leading mobile gaming company known for titles such as “Star Trek Fleet Command” and “Marvel Strike Force.” These deals not only expanded Savvy’s portfolio but also brought valuable talent, technology, and market access into the Saudi‑based conglomerate. Before his role at Savvy, Ward built a distinguished career in the gaming industry, holding senior positions at several of the sector’s most influential firms. He spent time at Electronic Arts, where he contributed to the launch of major franchises and helped shape the company’s digital distribution strategy.
At Microsoft’s Xbox division, Ward was involved in platform development and ecosystem growth, while his stint at Activision gave him insight into console and PC publishing dynamics. This breadth of experience equipped him with the expertise needed to navigate the complex, fast‑moving landscape of global gaming and to translate the PIF’s strategic vision into actionable business plans. Ward’s departure comes shortly after a monumental deal in which the PIF led a consortium to acquire Electronic Arts for $55 billion—a transaction that, at the time of writing, stands as one of the largest ever in the entertainment sector.
Bloomberg reports that the EA acquisition sparked internal concerns within Savvy about the future governance of two massive, Saudi‑owned gaming entities operating under the same sovereign fund umbrella. Sources familiar with the matter, who asked to remain anonymous, indicated that questions arose regarding potential overlaps in strategy, resource allocation, and competitive positioning between Savvy and the newly acquired EA. These apprehensions may have contributed to Ward’s decision to step down, though no official link between the two events has been confirmed.
Savvy Games Group remains wholly owned by the PIF, an institution that has positioned itself as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s broader “Vision 2030” initiative. The fund’s leadership has repeatedly emphasized that the gaming sector is a critical component of the kingdom’s economic diversification and social transformation agenda.
By investing heavily in game development, publishing, and esports, the PIF aims to create high‑skill jobs, foster a creative ecosystem, and project a modern cultural image on the world stage. Looking ahead, the interim period under Alnowaiser’s stewardship is expected to focus on maintaining operational stability, ensuring the smooth integration of recent acquisitions, and continuing the strategic push into new markets. The board will likely evaluate candidates who can blend deep industry knowledge with the ability to manage a portfolio that spans multiple continents and business models—from free‑to‑play mobile titles to high‑budget console releases. In summary, Brian Ward’s resignation marks the end of an era for Savvy Games Group, during which the company grew from a nascent venture into a multi‑billion‑dollar force in the global gaming arena.
His successor, at least on an interim basis, will be Turqi Alnowaiser, whose background in sovereign‑wealth fund investment aligns closely with the strategic imperatives of the PIF. As Savvy prepares for its next chapter, stakeholders will watch closely to see how the organization balances rapid expansion with sustainable governance, especially in the wake of the high‑profile EA acquisition that has reshaped the competitive landscape of the industry.