Brian Ward has announced his departure from the role of chief executive officer at Savvy Games Group, as detailed in 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 navigate the opportunities and challenges ahead.
The interim mantle will be taken up by Turqi Alnowaiser, who currently serves as a 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 searches for a permanent replacement. His appointment signals a continuation of the close relationship between Savvy Games Group and its sole shareholder, the PIF, and suggests that the fund intends to keep strategic oversight firmly within its own senior leadership. Ward’s tenure at Savvy Games Group began at the company’s inception in 2021.
Over the past three years, he has overseen a massive capital injection of roughly $37.8 billion, a sum earmarked to boost Saudi Arabia’s footprint in the worldwide video‑game sector. The fund’s ambition, which Ward has repeatedly described as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader "economic diversification and social transformation" agenda, has driven a series of high‑profile acquisitions and partnerships aimed at positioning the kingdom as a serious player in interactive entertainment. Among the most notable deals executed under Ward’s leadership were the purchases of several prominent game studios.
In early 2023, Savvy acquired Moonton, the developer behind the popular mobile title "Mobile Legends," from Chinese tech giant Bytedance for an estimated $6 million. Later that year, the group closed a landmark transaction with Scopely, a US‑based mobile gaming powerhouse, for a reported $4.9 billion.
These acquisitions not only expanded Savvy’s portfolio of intellectual property but also brought in seasoned development teams and established distribution networks, thereby accelerating the group’s capacity to produce and publish games on a global scale. Before his stint at Savvy, Ward built a distinguished career in the gaming industry, holding senior positions at several of the world’s leading interactive entertainment firms. He spent time at Electronic Arts, where he contributed to the company’s strategic direction, and held executive roles at Microsoft’s Xbox division, overseeing console and services initiatives. He also served at Activision, gaining experience in publishing and franchise management.
This diverse background equipped him with the expertise needed to navigate the complex landscape of global game development, investment, and regulation. Ward’s exit comes on the heels of a monumental transaction 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 industry, has sparked internal discussions within Savvy about how two massive Saudi‑owned gaming entities will be coordinated and governed.
Sources familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity, told Bloomberg that the EA deal raised concerns about potential overlaps in strategy, resource allocation, and brand positioning between the two companies. These apprehensions appear to have contributed to the timing of Ward’s decision to step down, as the organization seeks to clarify its operational independence and future direction. Looking ahead, Savvy Games Group faces the dual challenge of integrating its newly acquired studios while also defining a cohesive vision that aligns with the PIF’s broader economic goals. The interim leadership of Turqi Alnowaiser will likely focus on stabilizing the company’s day‑to‑day operations, reassuring investors and partners, and laying the groundwork for the next phase of growth.
At the same time, the board will be tasked with identifying a permanent CEO who can balance the ambitious expansion plans with the practical realities of managing a rapidly diversifying portfolio of game development assets. The broader context of Saudi Arabia’s push into the gaming sector cannot be ignored. The kingdom has been investing heavily in cultural and entertainment initiatives as part of its Vision 2030 roadmap, aiming to reduce reliance on oil revenues and foster a knowledge‑based economy. By cultivating a domestic gaming ecosystem—through funding, talent development, and strategic acquisitions—Saudi Arabia hopes to become a hub for creative talent and a destination for global gaming companies seeking new markets.
In summary, Brian Ward’s resignation marks a pivotal moment for Savvy Games Group. His three‑year stewardship saw the infusion of billions of dollars, the acquisition of key studios, and the positioning of the company as a central player in the kingdom’s diversification strategy. With Turqi Alnowaiser stepping in as interim CEO, the organization now stands at a crossroads, tasked with consolidating recent gains, addressing internal concerns sparked by the EA acquisition, and charting a sustainable path forward in the fast‑evolving world of video games.