Brian Ward has announced his resignation from the role of chief executive officer at Savvy Games Group, a move confirmed by an internal memorandum obtained by Bloomberg. In his farewell note, Ward explained that the company is poised to enter 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 navigate upcoming opportunities and challenges.
Taking over the helm on an interim basis will be Turqi Alnowaiser, who currently serves as deputy governor of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and heads the fund's International Investments Division. Alnowaiser will act as interim CEO while the board searches for a permanent replacement, ensuring continuity of strategy and operations during the transition period. Ward's tenure at Savvy Games Group began with the company's inception in 2021, when the PIF launched the venture as a wholly‑owned subsidiary with the explicit goal of expanding Saudi Arabia's footprint in the worldwide video‑game industry.
Over the past few years, Ward has overseen a massive capital commitment of roughly $37.8 billion, channeling those resources into acquisitions, studio development, and strategic partnerships designed to position Saudi Arabia as a major player in the global gaming ecosystem. Under Ward's leadership, Savvy Games Group pursued an aggressive acquisition strategy. Notably, the firm purchased Moonton, the developer behind the popular mobile title "Mobile Legends," from Chinese conglomerate Bytedance for a reported $6 million earlier in the year. In addition, Savvy closed a landmark deal in 2023 to acquire Scopely, a leading mobile gaming company, for approximately $4.9 billion.
These transactions reflected a broader vision to assemble a portfolio of high‑growth studios and IPs that could generate both revenue and cultural influence on a worldwide scale. Prior to his appointment at Savvy, Ward built a distinguished career in the interactive entertainment sector, holding senior positions at industry giants such as Electronic Arts, Xbox, and Activision.
His experience spanned product development, global publishing, and corporate strategy, giving him a deep understanding of the market dynamics that drive success in the gaming world. This background helped him steer Savvy through a period of rapid expansion and diversification. Ward's departure comes shortly after a monumental development in the broader Saudi investment landscape: the Public Investment Fund led a consortium that acquired Electronic Arts for $55 billion.
The high‑profile transaction sparked internal discussions within Savvy about how two massive Saudi‑owned gaming entities would be managed and coordinated. According to sources familiar with the situation, some employees expressed concerns about potential overlaps in governance, resource allocation, and strategic direction, prompting a reevaluation of leadership needs at Savvy. The appointment of Turqi Alnowaiser as interim acting CEO signals the PIF's intent to maintain strong oversight while it evaluates long‑term leadership options.
Alnowaiser's background in international investments equips him with the financial acumen and global perspective necessary to oversee Savvy's expansive portfolio during this interim phase. He will be tasked with preserving the momentum of ongoing projects, managing relationships with newly acquired studios, and ensuring that the company's strategic initiatives remain aligned with the broader objectives of Saudi Arabia's economic diversification plan. Savvy Games Group remains a cornerstone of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 agenda, which aims to reduce reliance on oil revenues by fostering growth in high‑tech and creative industries.
The group's activities—ranging from game development and publishing to esports and digital entertainment—are intended to generate new sources of employment, stimulate domestic talent development, and position Saudi Arabia as a hub for innovation in the interactive media sector. Looking ahead, the board will likely conduct a thorough search for a permanent CEO who can build on Ward's foundation while navigating the complexities introduced by the EA acquisition and the evolving global gaming market. The ideal candidate will need to balance aggressive growth ambitions with prudent risk management, foster collaboration across the PIF's portfolio of gaming assets, and continue to attract top creative talent to Saudi Arabia.
In summary, Brian Ward's resignation marks the end of a formative chapter for Savvy Games Group, during which the company secured billions of dollars in investment, executed high‑profile acquisitions, and laid the groundwork for a vibrant gaming ecosystem in the Kingdom. Turqi Alnowaiser's interim stewardship will provide stability as the organization charts its next steps, ensuring that Savvy remains on track to fulfill its mission of reshaping the global games landscape while supporting Saudi Arabia's broader socioeconomic transformation.