Saudi Arabia's PIF Said to Weigh Merging EA with Savvy Games Group

Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), is reportedly evaluating a plan to fold Electronic Arts (EA) into its gaming subsidiary, Savvy Games Group. According to insiders speaking to Bloomberg, the rationale behind the move is to "ensure better coordination between its assets" and to create a more unified strategy for the kingdom’s expanding portfolio in the interactive entertainment sector. Savvy Games Group, which was created in 2021 as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader ambition to become a major player in the global games industry, already controls a diverse set of assets.

Its current holdings include the mobile‑gaming platform Scopely, the esports tournament organizer ESL Gaming, the competitive‑gaming platform FaceIt, and a sizable $1 billion equity position in Embracer Group, a Swedish conglomerate that owns dozens of game studios worldwide. In addition, Savvy maintains minority stakes in several high‑profile developers and publishers, such as Nintendo, Capcom, Nexon, Take‑Two Interactive, Activision Blizzard, and Koei Tecmo.

This mosaic of investments gives the fund a foothold across multiple segments of the industry, from console and PC titles to mobile and esports. The timing of the potential EA‑Savvy merger appears to be linked to another major transaction that Savvy is currently pursuing.

In March, the group announced a $6 billion acquisition of Moonton, the Chinese developer behind the hit mobile game "Mobile Legends: Bang Bang." Sources familiar with the deal indicated that the integration of EA into Savvy’s structure is unlikely to proceed until the Moonton purchase is fully closed, suggesting that the PIF wants to avoid over‑extending its operational bandwidth while still finalising that high‑profile buyout. Both the PIF and EA declined to comment on the speculation when approached by Bloomberg, and a Savvy spokesperson did not respond to requests for clarification. What is known, however, is that the PIF led a $55 billion leveraged buyout of EA that was completed last month, making the sovereign fund the majority shareholder of the venerable game developer. The acquisition was first announced in September of the previous year and was backed by a consortium that also included private‑equity firm Silver Lake and the investment house Affinity Partners.

In an internal memo circulated to EA employees after the deal closed, the company emphasized that its core mission, values, and dedication to players worldwide would remain unchanged. "EA will maintain creative control, and our track record of creative freedom and player‑first values will remain intact," the letter read. The statement went on to assure staff that the new owners believed in EA’s vision, leadership, and its focus on delivering diverse gaming experiences to a global audience. "They’re investing in the creativity that defines EA," the memo added, echoing the broader narrative that the PIF’s involvement is meant to be a catalyst for growth rather than a constraint on artistic freedom.

Leadership changes at Savvy Games have also been part of the recent reshuffle. Last week, Brian Ward, who had served as CEO of Savvy since its inception, stepped down. Turqi Alnowaiser, the deputy governor of the PIF and head of its International Investments Division, was named interim CEO.

In a note to staff, Ward explained that the transition came at a pivotal moment as Savvy prepares for "the next period of transformational growth" and that fresh leadership was essential for the next phase of evolution. During his tenure, Ward oversaw a $37.8 billion infusion of capital aimed at expanding Saudi Arabia’s footprint in the worldwide gaming arena, a strategy that has already yielded a sprawling network of partnerships and acquisitions.

Analysts view the potential consolidation of EA into Savvy as a logical step for the PIF’s long‑term playbook. By bringing a heavyweight publisher like EA under the same umbrella as its existing esports, mobile, and studio investments, the fund could achieve synergies in distribution, technology sharing, and cross‑promotion.

For instance, EA’s deep expertise in live‑service games could complement Savvy’s esports platforms, while the combined entity might leverage Savvy’s stakes in Asian developers to accelerate EA’s presence in fast‑growing markets such as China and Southeast Asia. Critics, however, caution that the integration could pose challenges. EA’s corporate culture, built around a history of large‑scale, high‑budget releases, differs markedly from the more fragmented, venture‑style approach that Savvy has employed across its portfolio.

Aligning these disparate operational philosophies will require careful management to avoid disruption to ongoing projects and to preserve the creative autonomy that EA has pledged to maintain. If the merger proceeds, it would mark another milestone in Saudi Arabia’s ambitious drive to diversify its economy away from oil dependence and to position the kingdom as a hub for digital entertainment.

The PIF’s aggressive investment strategy—spanning everything from sports teams to technology startups—reflects a broader vision of cultivating a knowledge‑based economy. By potentially uniting EA with Savvy Games, the fund could create a vertically integrated powerhouse capable of developing, publishing, and monetising games across every platform and region.

For now, the situation remains fluid. The final decision will likely hinge on the successful completion of the Moonton acquisition, regulatory approvals in multiple jurisdictions, and the ability of the new interim leadership to chart a cohesive roadmap for the combined entity. Stakeholders—including employees, investors, and the global gaming community—will be watching closely to see how the PIF balances its strategic objectives with the need to preserve the creative spirit that has defined EA’s success for decades.