Saudi Gaming Fund CEO Departs After Five Years

What Is the Savvy Games Group?

The Savvy Games Group is a Saudi Arabian government-backed gaming and esports investment fund, established under the country's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF). It is the entity responsible for the kingdom's $38 billion gaming investment strategy, which includes ownership of Scopely, the developer behind the mobile game Pokémon Go. The group's purpose is to position Saudi Arabia as a global hub for gaming and esports by acquiring and developing major industry assets.

The Savvy Games Group is the $38 billion Saudi Arabian gaming fund that owns Pokémon Go developer Scopely, and it is now seeking a new CEO following Brian Ward's departure.

Key Facts

Why Is Brian Ward Leaving the Saudi Gaming Fund?

Brian Ward is departing from his role as CEO of the Savvy Games Group after a five-year tenure. The specific reason for his departure is not disclosed in the source material, and no successor has been named at the time of reporting. His exit marks a significant leadership change for the fund, which has completed a "mountain of acquisitions" during his time in charge.

Ward's leadership period was defined by aggressive expansion, including the acquisition of Scopely, which brought the Pokémon Go franchise under the fund's umbrella. The future direction of the fund's investment strategy under new leadership remains an open question, as the source does not provide details on the transition plan.

Brian Ward's exit after five years leaves the $38 billion Savvy Games Group without a named successor, and the source does not disclose the reason for his departure.

What Has the Savvy Games Group Acquired?

Under Brian Ward's leadership, the Savvy Games Group executed a series of acquisitions, described in the source as a "mountain of acquisitions." The most prominent of these is Scopely, the mobile game developer known for Pokémon Go. The source does not provide a complete list of every acquisition made during Ward's tenure, so the full portfolio remains partially unknown.

The fund's strategy has been to acquire established gaming companies and intellectual property to build a diversified portfolio. While the source highlights Scopely as a flagship purchase, it does not enumerate the other companies or studios acquired, leaving the total number of deals and their combined value unspecified.

The Savvy Games Group's acquisition spree under Ward included Scopely, the Pokémon Go developer, but the source does not list the full scope of its other purchases.

Who Is the Savvy Games Group For?

The Savvy Games Group serves the Saudi Arabian government's strategic goal of diversifying its economy beyond oil through the Public Investment Fund. It is designed for the kingdom's leadership to gain a foothold in the global gaming and esports markets, leveraging major intellectual properties like Pokémon Go to generate revenue and international influence. The fund's activities are also intended to support the domestic gaming ecosystem in Saudi Arabia.

The group's investments are not aimed at individual consumers directly but rather at the companies and studios that create gaming content. By owning developers like Scopely, the fund gains direct control over popular game franchises, positioning itself as a major player in the industry's corporate landscape.

The Savvy Games Group is the investment vehicle through which Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund acquires gaming companies like Scopely to build a national presence in the global gaming industry.

Common Questions

How long was Brian Ward CEO of the Savvy Games Group?

Brian Ward served as CEO of the Savvy Games Group for five years. His tenure was marked by a significant number of acquisitions, including the purchase of Scopely, the developer behind Pokémon Go. He has now stepped down from the role.

Does the Savvy Games Group own Pokémon Go?

Yes, the Savvy Games Group owns Pokémon Go through its acquisition of Scopely. The source identifies Scopely as the developer of Pokémon Go and confirms it as a key asset of the Saudi fund's $38 billion gaming portfolio.

What is the value of the Savvy Games Group's fund?

The Savvy Games Group operates with a $38 billion gaming fund. This capital is deployed through the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund to acquire gaming companies and intellectual property, such as the developer of Pokémon Go, Scopely.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based exclusively on the source material provided: "CEO Steps Down at Saudi Arabia's $38 Billion Gaming Fund That Owns Pokémon Go," published by Kotaku and available at the supplied URL. All facts, figures, and quotes are derived from this single source. No external data, statistics, or quotes have been added. The source does not provide a reason for Brian Ward's departure, a list of all acquisitions, or the name of a successor, and this article reflects that unknown information as such.

This article was last updated on May 20, 2025.