Brian Ward has announced his departure from the role of chief executive officer at Savvy Games Group, a move confirmed by an internal memorandum that Bloomberg obtained. In his farewell note, Ward explained that the company is on the cusp of a new phase of "transformational growth" and that fresh leadership is essential to steer this evolution. He expressed confidence that a change at the top would help the organization navigate the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
The interim position will be filled by Turqi Alnowaiser, who currently serves as the deputy governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and heads the fund’s International Investments Division. Alnowaiser will assume the duties of acting CEO on a temporary basis while the board conducts a search for a permanent successor.
Ward has been at the helm of Savvy Games Group since its inception in 2021. Under his direction, the firm has overseen a massive infusion of capital—approximately $37.8 billion—aimed at establishing a robust Saudi presence in the worldwide video‑game sector. The creation of Savvy Games Group was a strategic initiative of the PIF, which retains full ownership of the entity. Ward has frequently described the venture as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s broader agenda to diversify its economy and drive social transformation through high‑tech and entertainment industries.
During Ward’s tenure, Savvy pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy, securing several high‑profile studios to expand its portfolio. Notably, the group purchased Moonton, the developer behind the popular mobile title "Mobile Legends," from Chinese tech giant Bytedance for a reported $6 million earlier this year. In 2023, Savvy completed a landmark deal to acquire Scopely, a leading mobile game publisher, for roughly $4.9 billion.
These transactions signaled the fund’s intent to build a vertically integrated gaming ecosystem that spans development, publishing, and distribution on a global scale. Before his appointment at Savvy, Ward accumulated extensive experience in the interactive entertainment industry, holding senior positions at Electronic Arts, Microsoft’s Xbox division, and Activision. His background gave him a deep understanding of both the creative and commercial aspects of game production, which proved valuable as he guided Savvy through its rapid expansion and high‑profile deals. Ward’s resignation comes just weeks after the PIF‑led consortium finalized a $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts, one of the world’s largest video‑game publishers.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the EA deal raised internal concerns within Savvy about how two massive, Saudi‑backed gaming entities would be coordinated and governed. Some employees reportedly worried about potential overlaps in strategy, resource allocation, and corporate culture, prompting discussions about the optimal leadership structure for the combined assets. Industry observers note that the timing of Ward’s exit may reflect a broader realignment within Saudi Arabia’s ambitious gaming push. The PIF’s aggressive investment pattern is designed to position the kingdom as a global hub for game development, esports, and related digital entertainment.
By bringing in Alnowaiser—a senior figure within the fund’s international arm—the organization may be signaling a desire to align Savvy’s operational tactics more closely with the PIF’s overall investment thesis and cross‑border partnership strategy. Looking ahead, the interim leadership will need to address several key priorities. First, integrating the newly acquired studios into a cohesive operational framework while preserving their creative autonomy will be essential to maintain momentum on existing projects. Second, clarifying the relationship between Savvy and the newly acquired EA assets will require careful coordination to avoid redundancy and to leverage synergies across development pipelines, publishing channels, and technology platforms.
Finally, continuing to attract top talent and fostering an innovative culture will be vital as the Saudi gaming ecosystem matures and competes with established hubs in North America, Europe, and East Asia. While Ward’s departure marks the end of an era for Savvy Games Group, his legacy includes laying the groundwork for a diversified, globally competitive gaming portfolio backed by unprecedented sovereign wealth.
The next chapter, overseen for now by Turqi Alnowaiser, will test the resilience of the group’s strategic vision and its ability to translate massive financial resources into sustainable, creative success in the highly competitive world of interactive entertainment.