Brian Ward has announced his departure from the role of chief executive officer 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," underscoring his belief that a change at the top will help the organization seize emerging opportunities and navigate upcoming challenges.
The interim position will be filled by Turqi Alnowaiser, who currently serves as the deputy governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and heads its International Investments Division. Alnowaiser will assume the duties of acting CEO while the board conducts a search for a permanent replacement.
His appointment reflects the close ties between Savvy Games Group and its sole shareholder, the PIF, and signals a continued commitment to aligning the gaming venture with the broader strategic objectives of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. Ward’s tenure at Savvy began when the company was founded in 2021.
Over the past few years, he has overseen a massive capital infusion—approximately $37.8 billion—aimed at establishing Saudi Arabia as a significant player in the worldwide video‑game market. This investment has been part of a larger national effort to diversify the kingdom’s economy away from oil dependence and to foster a vibrant digital entertainment sector as a component of the country’s Vision 2030 agenda. Savvy Games Group itself was created as a wholly owned subsidiary of the PIF, with the explicit purpose of building a global gaming ecosystem that can both attract international talent and nurture home‑grown development studios. Ward has repeatedly described the venture as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s "economic diversification and social transformation," emphasizing how gaming can serve as a cultural bridge and a source of high‑skill employment for Saudi youth.
During 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: Bang Bang*, from Chinese tech giant Bytedance for a reported $6 million. Later that year, Savvy sealed a landmark deal to acquire Scopely, a US‑based mobile game publisher, for roughly $4.9 billion. These deals not only expanded Savvy’s portfolio of intellectual property but also provided access to experienced development teams, distribution networks, and established user bases across multiple regions.
Before his stint at Savvy, Ward built a distinguished career in the gaming industry, holding senior positions at Electronic Arts, Microsoft’s Xbox division, and Activision. His background gave him deep insight into both the creative and commercial aspects of game development, as well as experience navigating complex regulatory environments—skills that proved valuable when steering a Saudi‑backed entity into the highly competitive global market. Ward’s resignation comes on the heels of another major transaction involving the PIF: the acquisition of Electronic Arts for $55 billion by a consortium led by the sovereign fund.
The deal, announced just a month earlier, sparked internal discussions within Savvy about how two large, Saudi‑owned gaming companies would be coordinated and governed. According to sources who requested anonymity, the magnitude of the EA purchase raised concerns about potential overlaps in strategy, resource allocation, and corporate culture, prompting a reassessment of leadership needs at Savvy. Industry observers note that the timing of Ward’s departure could be indicative of a broader realignment within the PIF’s gaming portfolio.
As the fund consolidates its holdings, it may seek to streamline decision‑making processes, harmonize investment priorities, and ensure that each subsidiary operates with a clear mandate that supports the kingdom’s long‑term vision for digital entertainment. Looking ahead, Turqi Alnowaiser’s interim stewardship is expected to maintain continuity while the board evaluates candidates for the permanent CEO role. Alnowaiser brings extensive experience in international investment strategy, having overseen numerous cross‑border deals that align with Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a hub for technology and innovation.
His temporary leadership will likely focus on stabilizing ongoing projects, finalizing integration plans for recent acquisitions, and reinforcing relationships with key partners in the gaming ecosystem. The transition also presents an opportunity for Savvy Games Group to refine its strategic roadmap. With a substantial financial base and a growing portfolio of studios, the company is well positioned to explore new avenues such as cloud gaming, esports infrastructure, and original content creation that resonates with both regional and global audiences.
Moreover, the firm may deepen its collaboration with educational institutions to develop talent pipelines, thereby supporting the kingdom’s broader goal of building a knowledge‑based economy. In summary, Brian Ward’s exit marks the end of a formative chapter for Savvy Games Group, during which the organization laid the groundwork for Saudi Arabia’s entry into the global gaming arena. The appointment of Turqi Alnowaiser as interim acting CEO ensures that the company remains on course while it searches for a permanent leader capable of steering the next phase of growth.
As the PIF continues to expand its footprint in the entertainment sector, the coming months will be critical for defining how Savvy integrates with other Saudi‑backed gaming assets and how it contributes to the kingdom’s diversification and cultural outreach objectives.