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 about to enter a new phase of "transformational growth" and that fresh leadership is essential to guide that evolution. He wrote, "As Savvy embarks on its next period of transformational growth, this is the right time for new leadership for that evolution." Taking over the reins on an interim basis will be Turqi Alnowaiser, who currently serves as 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 determines a permanent successor.
Ward has been at the helm of Savvy Games Group since the organization was founded in 2021. Over the past three years, he has overseen a massive capital injection—approximately $37.8 billion—intended to accelerate Saudi Arabia’s footprint in the worldwide video‑game sector.
The fund that created Savvy, the PIF, fully owns the company, and Ward has frequently framed Savvy’s mission as a component of the kingdom’s broader strategy for economic diversification and social transformation. Under Ward’s stewardship, Savvy pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy.
In early 2023, the group purchased Moonton, the developer behind the popular mobile title "Mobile Legends," from Chinese conglomerate ByteDance for roughly $6 million. Later that same year, Savvy closed a landmark deal to acquire Scopely, a leading mobile gaming studio, for an estimated $4.9 billion. These purchases were designed to give the Saudi‑backed entity a foothold in both the Asian and Western gaming markets, broadening its portfolio of intellectual property and expanding its talent pool.
Before his tenure at Savvy, Ward built a distinguished career in the interactive entertainment industry. He held senior positions at Electronic Arts, where he helped steer global publishing operations, at Microsoft’s Xbox division, where he contributed to console strategy and ecosystem development, and at Activision, where he was involved in franchise management and growth initiatives. His extensive experience in both Western and Asian markets made him a natural fit for leading a Saudi‑funded venture seeking to bridge cultural and commercial gaps in the gaming world. Ward’s exit comes only weeks after a monumental transaction that saw the PIF lead a consortium to acquire Electronic Arts for $55 billion—a deal that, at the time of writing, remains one of the largest acquisitions in the history of the video‑game industry.
According to sources quoted by Bloomberg, the EA purchase sparked internal concerns within Savvy about the future governance structure of two massive Saudi‑owned gaming enterprises. Employees reportedly worried about potential overlaps in strategy, resource allocation, and brand identity, prompting speculation that the leadership change could be a response to these anxieties.
The appointment of Alnowaiser as interim CEO signals the PIF’s intention to maintain continuity while it evaluates the longer‑term direction for Savvy. As deputy governor, Alnowaiser brings a deep understanding of sovereign‑wealth investment principles and a track record of overseeing cross‑border deals. His role will likely involve stabilizing ongoing projects, reassuring partners and studios that have been acquired, and ensuring that the massive capital allocated to Savvy continues to be deployed effectively. Industry observers note that the timing of Ward’s departure may also reflect a broader shift in the global gaming landscape.
With the rise of mobile gaming in emerging markets, the increasing importance of live‑ops and in‑game monetisation, and heightened scrutiny over regulatory environments, a new leader may be required to navigate these complexities. Moreover, the PIF’s strategic vision for Savvy appears to be evolving from pure acquisition to building a sustainable ecosystem that can produce original content, nurture local talent, and integrate with Saudi Arabia’s cultural initiatives. In the months ahead, Savvy Games Group will likely focus on several key priorities: integrating the newly acquired studios into a cohesive operational framework, leveraging the PIF’s extensive network to secure distribution channels, and exploring partnerships that can bring Saudi‑originated games to a global audience. The interim leadership period under Alnowaiser may also be used to assess the performance of recent acquisitions, determine which projects warrant additional investment, and set performance metrics that align with the kingdom’s long‑term economic diversification goals.
While Ward’s resignation marks the end of an era for the company, his legacy includes laying the financial and strategic foundation for what could become a major player in the worldwide gaming arena. The next chapter for Savvy Games Group will hinge on how effectively the interim team can balance the ambitious growth targets set by the PIF with the practical challenges of integrating diverse studios, managing a sprawling portfolio, and delivering compelling gaming experiences to players around the globe.