Leading Games, Esports & Innovation in Saudi Arabia | Brian Ward 141 | CEO Savvy Games
Brian Ward is the Group CEO of Savvy Games Group, a Public Investment Fund (PIF) company leading investment and long-term growth in global gaming and esports. With nearly 30 years of experience, he previously led worldwide studios at Activision Blizzard and held key roles at Electronic Arts and Microsoft. Under Brian’s leadership, Savvy has grown into a major player in the industry with 3,500 employees across 22 countries, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s goal of becoming a global gaming and esports hub by 2030. 0:00 Intros6:23 Saudi Gaming Passion10:43 Skills Benefits of Gaming14:05 VR Innovation15:05 Industry Challenges16:55 Evolution of Games18:59 Sports Brand Partnerships25:55 Personal Favorites31:37 Acquisition Growth Success36:01 Horizontal Leadership38:08 Building a Talented Team40:05 Taking Risks Being Adaptable46:03 Overcoming Career Labels47:07 Savvy’s Mission Esports Dominance53:22 Final Thoughts Anecdotes