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 entering a new phase of ambitious expansion and that fresh leadership is 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." The interim position will be filled 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 assume the duties of acting CEO while the board conducts a search for a permanent replacement.
Ward has been at the helm of Savvy Games Group since the venture’s inception in 2021. Under his stewardship, the firm secured a massive capital injection of roughly $37.8 billion, a strategic move designed to boost Saudi Arabia’s footprint in the worldwide video‑game market.
Savvy Games Group itself was created as a wholly‑owned subsidiary of the PIF, an entity that Ward has repeatedly framed as a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s broader agenda of economic diversification and social transformation. During Ward’s tenure, Savvy pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy, adding several high‑profile studios to its portfolio. Notably, the company purchased Moonton, the developer behind the popular mobile title "Mobile Legends," from Bytedance for an estimated $6 million earlier this year.
In 2023, Savvy completed a landmark deal to acquire Scopely, a leading mobile game publisher, for approximately $4.9 billion. These transactions reflect Savvy’s ambition to assemble a vertically integrated gaming ecosystem that spans development, publishing, and live‑ops capabilities. Before his appointment at Savvy, Ward accumulated extensive experience in the interactive entertainment sector, holding senior positions at industry giants such as Electronic Arts, Xbox, and Activision.
His background in both Western and Asian markets equipped him to navigate the complex regulatory and cultural landscapes that accompany cross‑border gaming investments. Ward’s exit comes on the heels of a monumental corporate event: the Public Investment Fund led a consortium that acquired Electronic Arts for a staggering $55 billion. The deal, announced only a month earlier, has reshaped the competitive dynamics of the global gaming industry and raised internal questions within Savvy about the future governance of two massive Saudi‑owned gaming entities.
Sources familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity, told Bloomberg that the EA acquisition sparked concerns among Savvy’s leadership regarding potential overlaps, resource allocation, and strategic direction for the two organizations. Analysts suggest that the timing of Ward’s resignation may be linked to the need for a clearer separation of responsibilities between Savvy and the newly acquired EA, as well as the desire to bring in a leader with a distinct skill set tailored to the next stage of growth.
The appointment of Turqi Alnowaiser, a senior figure within the PIF, signals the fund’s intention to maintain close oversight while the company evaluates its long‑term leadership structure. The broader context of Savvy’s activities ties into Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a comprehensive plan aimed at reducing the nation’s reliance on oil revenues by fostering new sectors such as entertainment, tourism, and technology.
By investing heavily in gaming, the Kingdom hopes to attract talent, stimulate domestic content creation, and position itself as a hub for digital innovation in the Middle East and beyond. Looking ahead, Savvy Games Group is expected to continue its expansion strategy, potentially exploring further acquisitions, partnerships with global publishers, and investments in emerging technologies like cloud gaming and virtual reality.
The interim leadership under Alnowaiser will likely focus on stabilizing operations, integrating recent acquisitions, and ensuring that the company’s strategic objectives remain aligned with the PIF’s broader economic goals. In summary, Brian Ward’s departure marks a pivotal moment for Savvy Games Group as it transitions to a new leadership model amid a rapidly evolving industry landscape.
With Turqi Alnowaiser stepping in as interim acting CEO, the organization is poised to navigate the challenges and opportunities that arise from its ambitious growth agenda, its recent high‑profile deals, and the overarching vision of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification plan.