Brian Ward has announced his resignation from the chief executive post at Savvy Games Group, a development disclosed in an internal memorandum that Bloomberg obtained. In his farewell note, Ward explained that the company is poised to enter a new phase of "transformational growth" and that fresh leadership is essential to guide that evolution.
He expressed confidence that a change at the helm would better position Savvy for the ambitious milestones it has set for the coming years. The interim role will be filled by Turqi Alnowaiser, who currently serves as the deputy governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and leads its International Investments Division. Alnowaiser will act as the temporary chief executive while the board conducts a broader search for a permanent successor. His appointment signals the continued close ties between Savvy Games Group and its sole owner, the PIF, and underscores the fund’s willingness to place senior officials in key operational positions when strategic shifts are required.
Ward has been at the forefront of Savvy Games Group since its inception in 2021. Over the past three years, he has overseen a massive infusion of capital—approximately $37.8 billion—dedicated to building a robust Saudi presence in the worldwide video‑game market.
The fund’s ambition, as Ward repeatedly highlighted, is to diversify the Kingdom’s economy and drive a broader social transformation through high‑tech entertainment and digital media. Under his stewardship, Savvy has pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy aimed at securing both development talent and established publishing platforms.
Key transactions during Ward’s tenure include the purchase of Moonton, the Chinese studio best known for the popular mobile title "Mobile Legends," which was bought from ByteDance for roughly $6 million earlier this year. In addition, Savvy completed the landmark acquisition of Scopely, a leading mobile game publisher, for an estimated $4.9 billion in 2023.
These deals not only expanded Savvy’s portfolio of intellectual property but also provided a foothold in markets that are critical to the PIF’s long‑term vision of becoming a global gaming powerhouse. Before joining Savvy, Ward accumulated extensive experience at several of the world’s most influential gaming companies.
He held senior positions at Electronic Arts, where he contributed to the launch of major franchises; at Xbox, where he helped shape the console’s ecosystem and services; and at Activision, where he was involved in strategic planning for some of the industry’s biggest titles. This background gave him a unique perspective on how to blend Western gaming expertise with the emerging ambitions of the Saudi sovereign wealth fund. Ward’s departure comes on the heels of another seismic event in the gaming sector: the acquisition of Electronic Arts by a consortium led by the PIF for $55 billion. The deal, announced just a month earlier, has sparked internal debates within Savvy about the future governance of two massive Saudi‑owned gaming entities.
Sources familiar with the situation, who asked to remain anonymous, told Bloomberg that the EA purchase raised concerns about potential overlaps in strategy, resource allocation, and cultural integration between the two companies. These concerns appear to have contributed to Ward’s decision to step aside, allowing new leadership to navigate the evolving corporate landscape.
Looking ahead, the interim CEO, Turqi Alnowaiser, faces a complex set of challenges. He must maintain the momentum of ongoing projects, reassure investors and partners, and begin the process of identifying a permanent chief executive who can carry forward the strategic blueprint laid out by Ward. At the same time, Alnowaiser will need to coordinate closely with the PIF’s broader investment team to ensure that Savvy’s activities remain aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives, which prioritize diversification away from oil‑based revenue streams and the development of a knowledge‑based economy. Industry analysts note that the transition could present both risks and opportunities.
On one hand, a change in leadership during a period of rapid expansion can lead to uncertainty among developers, publishers, and talent pipelines. On the other hand, fresh perspectives often bring innovative approaches to integration, cross‑studio collaboration, and market entry strategies, especially in regions where gaming culture is still emerging. In summary, Brian Ward’s resignation marks the end of a formative chapter for Savvy Games Group, a company that has quickly become a central pillar of Saudi Arabia’s push into the global gaming arena. With Turqi Alnowaiser stepping in as interim acting CEO, the organization is positioned to continue its aggressive growth trajectory while navigating the strategic complexities introduced by the recent EA acquisition.
The coming months will be critical in determining how Savvy balances its ambitious investment agenda with the practical realities of managing a rapidly expanding portfolio of studios and IPs, all under the watchful eye of the Public Investment Fund.