Brian Ward has announced his departure from the role of chief executive at Savvy Games Group, as confirmed by an internal memorandum obtained by Bloomberg. 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 wrote, "As Savvy embarks on its next period of transformational growth, this is the right time for new leadership for that evolution." The interim helm will be taken by 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 searches for a permanent successor. Ward has been at the forefront of Savvy Games Group since its inception in 2021. Under his stewardship, the firm has overseen a massive infusion of capital—approximately $37.8 billion—intended to amplify Saudi Arabia’s footprint in the worldwide gaming sector. The organization itself was created by the PIF and remains wholly owned by the sovereign wealth fund.
Ward has repeatedly framed Savvy’s mission as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy for economic diversification and social transformation, positioning gaming as both a cultural and commercial catalyst. During Ward’s tenure, Savvy pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy, snapping up several notable studios. In early 2023, the group purchased Moonton, a developer best known for the popular mobile title "Mobile Legends," from Chinese tech giant Bytedance for roughly $6 million. Later that year, Savvy completed a landmark deal to acquire Scopely, a leading mobile game publisher, for an estimated $4.9 billion.
These purchases were designed to give the PIF a foothold in both the creation and distribution of high‑engagement games, thereby accelerating the kingdom’s ambition to become a global gaming hub. Prior to his appointment at Savvy, Ward accumulated extensive experience in the video‑game industry, holding senior positions at Electronic Arts, Microsoft’s Xbox division, and Activision.
His background in both development and publishing equipped him with a deep understanding of the market dynamics that Savvy sought to leverage. Ward’s exit comes only weeks after a monumental transaction in which the PIF led a consortium to acquire Electronic Arts for $55 billion. The deal, one of the largest ever in the entertainment sector, sparked internal debate within Savvy about the future governance of two massive, Saudi‑backed gaming enterprises.
Sources familiar with the matter, who asked to remain anonymous, told Bloomberg that the EA acquisition raised concerns about potential overlaps, strategic alignment, and the optimal management structure for both companies. Industry observers note that the timing of Ward’s resignation may reflect the complexities of integrating such a high‑profile asset as EA into the PIF’s portfolio, while simultaneously steering Savvy through its own rapid expansion.
The dual ownership model presents unique challenges, including aligning corporate cultures, reconciling investment priorities, and ensuring that each entity retains the agility needed to compete in a fast‑moving market. Looking ahead, Alnowaiser’s interim leadership is expected to focus on stabilizing operations, maintaining momentum on existing projects, and providing clarity to stakeholders about the strategic roadmap.
The PIF’s involvement suggests that the interim period will also be used to assess how best to coordinate the activities of Savvy and EA, potentially exploring synergies in areas such as technology sharing, talent mobility, and joint publishing initiatives. The broader context of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan underscores the significance of these moves. By channeling substantial public funds into the gaming industry, the kingdom aims to diversify away from oil‑dependent revenue streams, nurture a domestic creative economy, and position itself as a hub for digital entertainment in the Middle East and beyond.
The success of Savvy Games Group, alongside the newly acquired EA, will be a litmus test for the effectiveness of this ambitious diversification strategy. In summary, Brian Ward’s resignation marks a pivotal moment for Savvy Games Group as it transitions to new leadership under Turqi Alnowaiser’s interim stewardship.
The organization will continue to navigate a rapidly evolving gaming landscape, balancing the demands of massive capital deployment, cross‑border acquisitions, and the overarching goal of establishing Saudi Arabia as a major player on the global stage.