adminBrian Ward is stepping down as Savvy Games Group CEO, marking a leadership change at the Saudi-owned gaming company as it enters what Ward described as a new phase of growth. Turqi Alnowaiser, deputy governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), will take on the role of interim acting CEO.
Savvy Games Group CEO transition
Ward announced his departure in a note to staff, saying that new leadership was appropriate for the company’s next period of “transformational growth.” The announcement names Alnowaiser as interim acting CEO. It does not identify a permanent successor, so the length of the interim arrangement and the process for selecting a long-term CEO remain unclear.
Alnowaiser is also head of the PIF’s International Investments Division. The PIF established Savvy Games Group in 2021 and owns it wholly. His appointment places an executive with senior responsibilities at the investment fund in charge of Savvy during the leadership transition.
Ward’s tenure and Savvy’s investments
Ward had led Savvy since its establishment. During his tenure, the company oversaw a $37.8 billion investment intended to expand Saudi Arabia’s presence in the global games industry. Ward previously described the PIF’s role in Savvy as part of Saudi Arabia’s economic diversification and social transformation.
Savvy acquired several gaming businesses during this period. These included Scopely, acquired for $4.9 billion in 2023, and Moonton, acquired from ByteDance for $6 million earlier this year. These deals formed part of Savvy’s efforts to build a broader position in the games business. The figures and timing are reported as stated in the announcement and should be checked against company records before republication.
What the change could mean for the company
Ward’s departure comes a month after Electronic Arts was acquired for $55 billion by a consortium led by the PIF. The timing has raised questions about how the two large Saudi-owned video-game businesses will be managed. The reported concerns came from people familiar with the companies, and no specific changes to their operating structure were announced in the staff note.
Ward previously held leadership roles at Electronic Arts, Xbox and Activision before joining Savvy. His experience spans several major gaming companies, while Alnowaiser brings senior investment-fund responsibilities to the interim role. The announcement does not provide details about changes to Savvy’s strategy, acquisitions or day-to-day operations.
What to watch next
Key details to look for are whether Savvy appoints a permanent CEO, whether its investment plans change, and how its relationship with other PIF-backed gaming businesses develops. Until further announcements are made, Alnowaiser is the interim acting leader and Ward’s departure is the confirmed change.
The Savvy Games Group CEO transition is significant because it follows several years of major investment and acquisitions. For now, the company’s long-term leadership plans and any resulting strategic shifts have not been disclosed.
