Brian Ward announced his resignation 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 expressed confidence that a change at the top would help the organization continue its rapid expansion and strategic diversification. The interim position will be filled 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 assume the responsibilities of acting CEO while the board conducts a search for a permanent successor. His appointment underscores the close ties between Savvy Games Group and its sole shareholder, the PIF, and signals a desire to keep the company’s strategic direction firmly aligned with the fund’s broader objectives.
Ward has been at the helm of Savvy Games Group since the venture’s inception in 2021. Over the past few years, he oversaw a massive capital injection of roughly $37.8 billion, a sum earmarked to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s footprint in the worldwide video‑game market. The fund’s ambition, as Ward has repeatedly emphasized, is to use gaming as a vehicle for economic diversification and social transformation within the Kingdom, reducing reliance on oil revenues and creating new high‑skill employment opportunities. Under Ward’s leadership, Savvy Games Group pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy.
In early 2023 the company purchased Moonton, the Chinese studio behind the hit mobile title “Mobile Legends,” from ByteDance for an estimated $6 million. Later that year, Savvy closed a landmark deal to acquire Scopely, a U.S.
mobile‑gaming powerhouse, for about $4.9 billion. These deals not only expanded Savvy’s portfolio of popular titles but also gave the group access to valuable talent, technology, and distribution networks across Asia, Europe, and North America.
Before joining Savvy, Ward built a distinguished career in the interactive entertainment sector, holding senior positions at Electronic Arts, Microsoft’s Xbox division, and Activision. His experience in both development and publishing gave him a deep understanding of the industry’s dynamics, which he leveraged to position Savvy as a credible global player despite its relatively short history.
Ward’s departure comes on the heels of a monumental transaction in which the PIF‑led consortium acquired Electronic Arts for $55 billion, one of the largest deals ever in the gaming space. Sources familiar with internal discussions, who asked to remain anonymous, told Bloomberg that the EA acquisition raised concerns within Savvy about how two massive, Saudi‑backed gaming entities would coexist and be governed. Questions reportedly centered on potential overlaps in strategy, resource allocation, and brand positioning, prompting a reassessment of leadership needs at Savvy. The transition to Alnowaiser is expected to be smooth, given his intimate familiarity with the PIF’s investment philosophy and his existing oversight of the fund’s international portfolio.
As interim acting CEO, he will be responsible for maintaining the momentum of ongoing projects, overseeing the integration of recent acquisitions, and ensuring that Savvy continues to deliver on its mandate to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy through interactive entertainment. Industry analysts view the leadership change as a natural evolution for a company that has grown rapidly in a short period. They note that while Ward’s vision helped establish Savvy’s brand and secure critical assets, a new leader with fresh perspectives may be better positioned to navigate the increasingly competitive global gaming landscape, especially as the sector grapples with regulatory scrutiny, shifting consumer preferences, and rapid technological advances such as cloud gaming and metaverse experiences.
Looking ahead, Savvy Games Group is likely to continue its strategy of acquiring high‑potential studios, investing in original IP development, and expanding its presence in emerging markets. The PIF’s commitment to the gaming sector remains steadfast, and the fund has signaled that further capital will be allocated to support Savvy’s growth initiatives, research and development, and talent acquisition programs. In summary, Brian Ward’s exit marks the end of an era characterized by bold investments and rapid expansion.
Turqi Alnowaiser’s interim appointment signals continuity and a close alignment with the PIF’s overarching goals. The coming months will be critical as Savvy Games Group refines its strategic roadmap, balances the integration of its recent acquisitions, and positions itself for sustained success in the global gaming arena.