Brian Ward has announced his departure 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 poised to enter 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 capitalize on emerging opportunities in the rapidly shifting gaming landscape. Following Ward’s exit, Turqi Alnowaiser, who serves as a deputy governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and heads its International Investments Division, has been named interim acting CEO.
Alnowaiser will assume day‑to‑day responsibilities while the board conducts a search for a permanent successor. His appointment signals a continued close alignment between Savvy Games Group and the sovereign wealth fund that created and fully owns the company.
Ward’s tenure at Savvy began with the firm’s inception in 2021. Over the past three years he has overseen a massive capital infusion of roughly $37.8 billion, a sum earmarked to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s strategic push into the global video‑game sector. The investment program was part of a broader national agenda to diversify the kingdom’s economy away from oil dependence and to foster a vibrant, technology‑driven cultural ecosystem. In public statements, Ward repeatedly framed Savvy as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s “economic diversification and social transformation” strategy, highlighting the dual goals of creating high‑value jobs and positioning the country as a hub for creative talent.
Under Ward’s leadership, Savvy has executed a series of high‑profile acquisitions designed to build a vertically integrated gaming portfolio. In early 2023 the company purchased Moonton, the developer behind the hit mobile title “Mobile Legends,” from Chinese tech giant ByteDance for an estimated $6 million. Later that year, Savvy completed a landmark $4.9 billion acquisition of Scopely, a leading mobile game publisher known for titles such as “Star Trek Fleet Command” and “Marvel Strike Force.” These deals expanded Savvy’s reach across both the Asian and Western markets and gave the firm a robust pipeline of intellectual property, publishing expertise, and monetization infrastructure. Before joining Savvy, Ward accumulated extensive experience at some of the world’s most influential gaming and interactive entertainment firms.
He held senior positions at Electronic Arts, where he helped shape the company’s live‑service strategy, and at Microsoft’s Xbox division, where he was involved in platform development and ecosystem partnerships. Earlier still, he served at Activision, contributing to the launch of several blockbuster franchises.
This background equipped him with a deep understanding of both the creative and commercial aspects of the industry, making him a logical choice to lead Saudi Arabia’s ambitious foray into gaming. Ward’s resignation arrives just weeks after the Public Investment Fund led a consortium that acquired Electronic Arts for a staggering $55 billion.
The EA deal, one of the largest ever in the sector, has sparked internal discussions at Savvy about how two massive, Saudi‑backed gaming entities will coexist and be governed. Sources familiar with the situation, who asked to remain anonymous, told Bloomberg that the EA acquisition raised concerns about potential overlaps in strategy, talent allocation, and brand positioning. Some employees reportedly worried about whether the two companies would operate as separate entities or be integrated under a unified corporate umbrella, and how such a structure might affect decision‑making autonomy. The appointment of Alnowaiser as interim CEO is intended to provide stability during this period of uncertainty.
As a senior figure within the PIF, he brings a macro‑economic perspective and experience managing cross‑border investments, which could be valuable as Savvy navigates the post‑EA landscape. Alnowaiser is expected to oversee ongoing integration projects, maintain relationships with the newly acquired EA leadership team, and ensure that Savvy’s existing portfolio continues to grow without disruption. Looking ahead, industry analysts suggest that Savvy’s next steps will likely focus on three strategic pillars: expanding its development capabilities in the Middle East, leveraging the EA acquisition to access cutting‑edge technology and talent, and deepening its presence in emerging markets such as Southeast Asia and Latin America. The firm may also explore partnerships with global publishers to co‑develop new titles that blend Saudi cultural themes with universal gaming appeal, thereby reinforcing the kingdom’s soft‑power objectives.
In summary, Brian Ward’s departure marks the end of a formative chapter for Savvy Games Group, a company that has rapidly transformed from a newly created investment vehicle into a major player with a multi‑billion‑dollar portfolio. While his exit coincides with significant industry consolidation, the interim leadership of Turqi Alnowaiser aims to keep the organization on course, preserving the momentum built over the past three years and positioning Savvy for the next wave of growth in the global gaming arena.