Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund Considers Merger Between EA and Savvy Games Group

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is reportedly considering a merger between Electronic Arts and Savvy Games Group. According to Bloomberg, sources familiar with the matter stated that no final decision has been made yet. However, such a move could help coordinate the assets of both companies.

This development follows the departure of Savvy Games Group CEO Brian Ward. Turqi Alnowaiser, a senior PIF executive and interim boss, has stepped into the role. Savvy Games Group has previously acquired several companies, including Scopely for $4.9 billion in 2023. Scopely subsequently acquired Niantic game teams and Turkish studio Loom Games. Savvy also combined esports organizations ESL and FaceIt into the ESL FaceIt Group, and has an impending acquisition of Mobile Legends maker Moonton valued at $6 billion.

Sources noted that any potential merger between Savvy and EA is unlikely to occur until after the Moonton acquisition is finalized. Additionally, Savvy has accrued $12 billion in gaming-related shares transferred from the PIF, including stakes in Nintendo and Bandai Namco. The PIF previously pursued a buyout of EA with partners Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, though it remains unclear how a merger would impact those partners.

A combined entity of EA and Savvy would unite a major console and PC games publisher with a leading mobile games company in Scopely. Industry analysts continue to monitor how leadership changes and ongoing acquisitions will shape the future of these major gaming assets.