Brian Ward Steps Down as CEO of Savvy Games Group

Brian Ward is stepping down from his role as CEO of Savvy Games Group, according to a staff note. In his message to staff, Ward stated that it is the appropriate time for new leadership as the company enters its next period of transformational growth. Turqi Alnowaiser, deputy governor of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and head of its International Investments Division, will step in to serve as interim acting CEO.

Ward has led Savvy Games Group since it was established in 2021, guiding a massive multi-billion-dollar investment initiative designed to expand Saudi Arabia's footprint in the global games industry. During his tenure, the organization executed several high-profile acquisitions and investments, including the $4.9 billion purchase of Scopely, investments in Niantic, and a pending $6 billion acquisition of Moonton Games from Bytedance. Additionally, the PIF transferred approximately $12 billion worth of shares in major gaming companies, such as Nintendo and Bandai Namco, to Savvy.

Ward's departure follows shortly after a consortium led by the PIF completed a leveraged buyout of Electronic Arts for $55 billion. According to reports, this historic transaction sparked internal concern at Savvy regarding how the two major Saudi-owned video game businesses will operate alongside one another moving forward. Before guiding Savvy Games Group, Ward held leadership positions at prominent companies including Electronic Arts, Xbox, and Activision.