Brian Ward has announced his resignation from the position of chief executive officer at Savvy Games Group, as disclosed in an internal memorandum obtained by Bloomberg. In his farewell note, Ward emphasized that the company is poised to enter a new phase of transformative expansion, 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." In the wake of Ward’s departure, Turqi Alnowaiser, who serves as the deputy governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and heads its International Investments Division, will step in as the interim acting CEO. Alnowaiser’s appointment signals the PIF’s continued hands‑on involvement in steering the strategic direction of its wholly‑owned subsidiary during the transition period.
Ward has been at the helm of Savvy Games Group since its inception in 2021. Over the past few years, he has overseen a massive infusion of capital—approximately $37.8 billion—aimed at bolstering Saudi Arabia’s footprint in the worldwide video‑game market. The fund’s ambition, as Ward has repeatedly highlighted, is to contribute to the Kingdom’s broader goals of economic diversification and social transformation, moving the country beyond its traditional reliance on oil revenues. Under Ward’s leadership, Savvy Games Group has pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy, targeting high‑profile studios to accelerate its growth.
Notably, the company purchased Moonton, the developer behind the popular mobile title “Mobile Legends,” from Bytedance for a reported $6 million earlier this year. In 2023, Savvy closed a landmark deal to acquire Scopely, a major mobile gaming publisher, for roughly $4.9 billion. These transactions reflect Savvy’s intent to assemble a diversified portfolio of gaming IPs and talent that can compete on a global scale.
Prior to his tenure at Savvy, Ward built a distinguished career in the interactive entertainment sector, holding senior positions at industry giants such as Electronic Arts, Microsoft’s Xbox division, and Activision. His experience across development, publishing, and corporate strategy equipped him with the expertise needed to navigate the complex landscape of international gaming investments. Ward’s exit comes just a month after the Public Investment Fund led a consortium that acquired Electronic Arts for an eye‑popping $55 billion. The EA acquisition, one of the largest deals in the history of the gaming industry, appears to have sparked internal concerns within Savvy about the governance and operational integration of two massive Saudi‑owned gaming entities.
Sources familiar with the situation, who requested anonymity, told Bloomberg that the EA deal raised questions about how the two companies would be coordinated, potentially influencing Ward’s decision to step down. The transition to Alnowaiser’s interim leadership is expected to be smooth, given his deep familiarity with the PIF’s strategic priorities and his experience overseeing cross‑border investments.
As interim acting CEO, Alnowaiser will be responsible for maintaining the momentum of ongoing projects, overseeing the integration of recent acquisitions, and ensuring that Savvy continues to align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 objectives, which emphasize digital innovation, entertainment, and youth engagement. Looking ahead, analysts anticipate that Savvy Games Group will continue to pursue a blend of organic growth and strategic purchases, leveraging Saudi Arabia’s substantial financial resources to attract top talent and develop new gaming experiences. The company’s portfolio may expand into emerging technologies such as cloud gaming, virtual reality, and esports, areas that the PIF has identified as high‑potential growth sectors. In summary, Brian Ward’s departure marks the end of a formative chapter for Savvy Games Group, during which the firm secured billions in investment, completed high‑value acquisitions, and positioned itself as a rising power in the global gaming ecosystem.
Turqi Alnowaiser’s interim appointment provides continuity and signals the PIF’s commitment to guiding the company through this pivotal period, while the broader industry watches closely to see how Saudi Arabia’s ambitious gaming agenda will unfold in the years to come.