Brian Ward has announced his resignation as chief executive officer of Savvy Games Group, according to an internal memorandum obtained by Bloomberg. In his farewell note, Ward explained that the company is entering a new phase of ambitious expansion and that fresh leadership is essential to guide this transformation. "As Savvy embarks on its next period of transformational growth, this is the right time for new leadership for that evolution," he wrote, emphasizing the strategic timing of his departure.
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 heads the fund’s International Investments Division. Alnowaiser will act as the temporary chief executive while the board searches for a permanent replacement, ensuring continuity of operations and strategic direction during the transition. Ward’s tenure at Savvy Games Group began at the company’s inception in 2021, when the PIF launched the venture to establish a foothold for Saudi Arabia in the worldwide video‑game market.
Over the past three years, he has overseen a massive capital commitment of roughly $37.8 billion, aimed at building a diversified portfolio of game development studios, publishing assets, and related infrastructure. This investment strategy reflects the broader vision of the PIF to diversify the Kingdom’s economy away from oil dependence and to foster a modern, technology‑driven cultural sector. Savvy Games Group is wholly owned by the PIF, a sovereign wealth fund that has become a central engine of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 agenda. Ward has repeatedly described the group’s mission as a pillar of the nation’s economic diversification and social transformation efforts, positioning gaming as both a lucrative industry and a cultural bridge that can engage global audiences while creating high‑skill jobs for Saudi talent.
Under Ward’s leadership, Savvy pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy. In early 2023 the company purchased Moonton, the developer behind the popular mobile title “Mobile Legends,” from Chinese tech giant Bytedance for an estimated $6 million.
Later that year, Savvy sealed a landmark deal to acquire Scopely, a leading mobile game publisher, for approximately $4.9 billion. These transactions not only expanded Savvy’s portfolio of intellectual property but also brought experienced development teams and publishing expertise under the Saudi umbrella, accelerating the group’s ambition to become a global player. Before joining Savvy, Ward built a distinguished career in the gaming sector, holding senior positions at Electronic Arts, Microsoft’s Xbox division, and Activision. His experience across both console and mobile platforms gave him a deep understanding of the industry’s evolving business models, from subscription services to in‑game monetization, which proved valuable in shaping Savvy’s investment thesis.
Ward’s exit comes shortly after a major corporate development: a consortium led by the PIF acquired Electronic Arts for $55 billion, one of the largest deals in the history of the video‑game industry. Bloomberg reports that the EA acquisition sparked internal concerns at Savvy about the governance and operational integration of two massive, Saudi‑owned gaming entities. Sources familiar with the situation, who requested anonymity, said the rapid consolidation raised questions about potential overlaps, competitive dynamics, and the strategic alignment of the two companies. The appointment of Turqi Alnowaiser as interim CEO signals the PIF’s intent to maintain steady oversight while it evaluates the longer‑term leadership structure for Savvy.
Alnowaiser’s background in international investments equips him with a macro‑level perspective on cross‑border deals, risk management, and portfolio diversification, which could prove beneficial as Savvy navigates the post‑EA landscape. Looking ahead, industry observers anticipate that Savvy will continue to leverage its substantial financial backing to acquire additional studios, invest in emerging technologies such as cloud gaming and virtual reality, and cultivate homegrown talent through training programs and partnerships with Saudi universities. The group’s ultimate goal is to create a sustainable ecosystem that can produce globally competitive games, attract foreign investment, and contribute to the Kingdom’s broader ambition of becoming a hub for digital entertainment. In summary, Brian Ward’s departure marks the end of a formative chapter for Savvy Games Group, during which the organization laid the groundwork for a significant Saudi presence in the worldwide gaming arena.
With Turqi Alnowaiser stepping in as interim chief executive, the company is poised to continue its aggressive expansion while addressing internal concerns raised by the recent EA acquisition. The next few months will be critical in determining how Savvy balances rapid growth with strategic governance, and whether it can fulfill the PIF’s vision of a diversified, innovative, and culturally influential gaming sector.