{{Short description|Saudi video game company}} {{Infobox company | name = Savvy Games Group | logo = Savvy Games Group logo.svg | logo_caption = Logo since 2024 | native_name = مجموعة سافي للألعاب الإلكترونية | type = Private | industry = Video games | founded = {{start date and age|2021|11}} | hq_location = Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | num_locations = 29 | num_locations_year = 2026 | key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Brian Ward (CEO)}} | products = {{Unbulleted list|Monopoly Go!|Pokémon Go|Pikmin Bloom|Monster Hunter Now|Grunt Rush}} | num_employees = 3,500 | num_employees_year = 2026 | parent = Public Investment Fund | subsid = {{Unbulleted list|Scopely|ESL|Steer Studios|FACEIT|Moonton}} | website = {{URL|https://savvygames.com/}} }} '''Savvy Games Group{{efn|name=naming|Arabic: '''مجموعة سافي للألعاب الإلكترونية''' (romanized: ''Majmūʿat Sāfī lil-Alʿāb al-Iliktirūniyyah'')}}''' is a Saudi Arabian video game investment, development, publishing, and Esports holding company headquartered in Riyadh. The company is the video game division of the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, created to support the development of the domestic gaming sector and to invest in the global video game industry.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Batchelor |first=James |date=2023-06-07 |title=What is Savvy Games Group and how is it trying to change Saudi Arabia's image? |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/what-is-savvy-games-group-and-how-is-it-trying-to-change-saudi-arabias-image |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}}</ref><ref name="biztimes1">{{Cite web |date=2025-02-19 |title='Pokemon Go' maker nears US$3.5 billion deal to sell games unit |url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/pokemon-go-maker-nears-us3-5-billion-deal-sell-games-unit |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=The Business Times |language=en |archive-date=2025-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250219031508/https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/lifestyle/pokemon-go-maker-nears-us3-5-billion-deal-sell-games-unit |url-status=live}}</ref>
== History == Savvy Games Group was established in 2021 by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) as part of a broader goal of diversifying the Saudi economy and growing the Saudi video game industry.<ref name=":1" />
In 2021, the PIF directly acquired shares in three American video game firms, Electronic Arts, Take-Two Interactive, and Activision Blizzard.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |author1=Rich Stanton |date=2023-05-18 |title=Saudi Arabia now owns 10% of Electronic Arts |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/saudi-arabia-now-owns-10-of-electronic-arts/ |access-date=2024-04-04 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref> In 2022, the PIF took a 5% stake in Nintendo.<ref>{{cite news |last=Plunkett |first=Luke |date=18 May 2022 |title=Saudi Arabia Now Owns 5% Of Nintendo |url=https://kotaku.com/nintendo-saudi-arabia-public-investment-fund-pif-shares-1848941294 |access-date=18 May 2022 |work=Kotaku |language=en-us}}</ref>
Savvy Games Group invested $1 billion to buy an 8% interest in Embracer Group in May 2022.<ref name=":3">{{cite web |last=Partis |first=Danielle |date=8 June 2022 |title=Saudi Arabia acquires $1bn stake in Embracer Group |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-06-08-saudi-arabia-acquires-usd1bn-stake-in-embracer-group |access-date=8 June 2022 |work=Gamesindustry.biz |archive-date=8 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220608115728/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-06-08-saudi-arabia-acquires-usd1bn-stake-in-embracer-group |url-status=live }}</ref>
On September 29, 2022, Savvy Games Group announced plans to invest $37.8 billion in the video game industry, allocating $13.3 billion for the acquisition and expansion of a prominent video game developers and publishers with the aim of establishing them as a crucial development partner, thus positioning the country as a global gaming hub by 2030.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-09-29 |title=Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group to invest $37.8 billion in esports, gaming |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Esports/Sections/Finance/2022/09/Savvy-Game-Group-plans-investing-$38-billion-gaming-esports.aspx |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |language=en |archive-date=2024-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404023852/https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Esports/Sections/Finance/2022/09/Savvy-Game-Group-plans-investing-$38-billion-gaming-esports.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |date=2022-09-29 |title=Saudi Arabia sets aside $13 billion to acquire a major publisher |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/saudi-arabia-sets-aside-13-billion-to-acquire-a-major-publisher |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en |archive-date=2024-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404023852/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/saudi-arabia-sets-aside-13-billion-to-acquire-a-major-publisher |url-status=live }}</ref> The initiative includes strategic acquisitions, job creation, and GDP growth objectives. The investment entails acquiring minority stakes in leading game publishers and partnering with established industry players to bolster the gaming ecosystem.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-09-30 |title=Saudi-based Savvy Games Group unveils $38 billion investments across four sectors - Arabian Business |url=https://www.arabianbusiness.com/industries/technology/saudi-based-savvy-games-group-unveils-38-billion-investments-across-four-sectors |access-date=2024-04-04 |work=Arabian Business |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404023851/https://www.arabianbusiness.com/industries/technology/saudi-based-savvy-games-group-unveils-38-billion-investments-across-four-sectors |url-status=live }}</ref> The initiative aims to create 39,000 jobs, establish 250 gaming companies, and contribute 50 billion riyals to the Saudi GDP, fostering economic diversification and growth.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saudi state-backed conglomerate to sink $37.8 billion into video game industry |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/saudi-state-backed-conglomerate-to-sink-37-8-billion-into-video-game-industry |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=www.gamedeveloper.com |language=en |archive-date=2024-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404023851/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/saudi-state-backed-conglomerate-to-sink-37-8-billion-into-video-game-industry |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Scopely acquisition === On April 5, 2023, Savvy Games Group announced its intent to acquire American mobile video game developer and publisher Scopely for $4.9 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-04-05 |title=Savvy Games Group to buy mobile game publisher Scopely for $4.9B |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/savvy-games-group-to-buy-mobile-game-publisher-scopely-for-4-9b/ |access-date=2023-04-05 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-06-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607191228/https://venturebeat.com/games/savvy-games-group-to-buy-mobile-game-publisher-scopely-for-4-9b/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-04-05 |title=Saudi's Savvy Games Buys Gamemaker Scopely For $4.9 Billion |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-05/saudi-s-savvy-games-buys-gamemaker-scopely-for-4-9-billion |access-date=2023-04-05 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en |archive-date=2023-06-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605180338/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-05/saudi-s-savvy-games-buys-gamemaker-scopely-for-4-9-billion |url-status=live }}</ref> The acquisition was completed on July 13, 2023.<ref name="acquisition">{{cite news |date=13 July 2023 |title=Savvy Games completes acquisition of Scopely in e-gaming push |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2337041/business-economy |work=Arab News |archive-date=16 July 2023 |access-date=4 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230716050725/https://www.arabnews.com/node/2337041/business-economy |url-status=live }}</ref>
Embracer Group, renowned for its acquisition of numerous game studios, recently disclosed a major partnership valued at over $2 billion that unexpectedly fell through at the final hour. The identity of the partner was shrouded in mystery until later. In August 2023, it was unveiled that the elusive partner was Savvy Games Group.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yang |first=George |date=2023-08-14 |title=Embracer Group's Partner Who Walked From $2 Billion Deal Finally Revealed |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/embracer-groups-partner-who-walked-from-2-billion-deal-finally-revealed |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> This failed collaboration dealt a significant blow to Embracer, resulting in a sharp drop in their stock price and necessitating cost-cutting measures such as layoffs and studio closures.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Ash |date=2023-12-05 |title=More layoffs at another Embracer Group studio |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/12/5/23989128/new-world-interactive-layoffs-embracer-group-insurgency-sandstorm |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> Embracer Group has announced plans for a substantial company restructuring, which includes studio closures, employee layoffs, and the cancellation of numerous video game projects.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Report: Embracer's doomed $2B deal was with Saudi-backed Savvy Games |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/report-embracer-s-doomed-2b-deal-was-with-saudi-backed-savvy-games |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=www.gamedeveloper.com |language=en |archive-date=2024-03-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240308204927/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/report-embracer-s-doomed-2b-deal-was-with-saudi-backed-savvy-games |url-status=live }}</ref> The reasons behind the dissolution of the deal remain undisclosed, but prior to this development, Embracer CEO Lars Wingefors had faced criticism for accepting investment from Savvy, amid concerns regarding human rights violations attributed to the Saudi government. Despite the deal falling through, Savvy still holds its stake in Embracer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Davis |first=Wes |date=2023-08-14 |title=Saudi group reportedly abandoned $2 billion deal with the Lord of the Rings game company |url=https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/14/23831768/embracer-group-saudi-government-lord-of-the-rings-investment-deal-collapse |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=The Verge |language=en |archive-date=2023-12-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212085212/https://www.theverge.com/2023/8/14/23831768/embracer-group-saudi-government-lord-of-the-rings-investment-deal-collapse |url-status=live }}</ref>
On February 16, 2023, Savvy Games Group announced its investment of $235 million into Chinese esports company VSPO, (now Hero Esports) giving it a minority stake and making it VSPO's largest institutional shareholder.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Al-Atrush |first=Samer |date=2023-02-16 |title=Saudi Arabia-backed group to invest $265mn in Chinese esports company VSPO |url=https://www.ft.com/content/c7728605-3861-45de-aa76-37e8599e1e7c |access-date=2025-03-18 |work=Financial Times |archive-date=2023-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116081622/https://www.ft.com/content/c7728605-3861-45de-aa76-37e8599e1e7c |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2024, the PIF reduced its stake in Nintendo from 8.58% to 7.54%, though it remains one of Nintendo's largest shareholders. This move comes after earlier reports suggesting the PIF might increase its stake in Nintendo, which were later corrected to refer to Japanese gaming companies in general. The PIF initially acquired a 5.01% stake in Nintendo in May 2022, which had grown to 8.58% by mid-2024. The PIF has been actively investing in the video game industry as part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's strategy to diversify the Saudi economy beyond oil revenues.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-08 |title=Saudi Arabia has reduced its stake in Nintendo |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/saudi-arabia-has-reduced-its-stake-in-nintendo/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=VGC |language=en-GB}}</ref>
=== Niantic acquisition === On February 18, 2025, Bloomberg reported that Savvy and Scopely were in talks to acquire the video game arm of the American company Niantic for $3.5 billion, including mobile games ''Pokémon GO'' and ''Pikmin Bloom''.<ref name="biztimes1"/>
On March 12, Savvy Games Group confirmed their intentions,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mehta |first=Ivan |date=2025-03-12 |title=Pokémon Go maker Niantic is selling its games division to Scopely for $3.5B |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/12/pokemon-go-maker-niantic-is-selling-its-games-division-to-scopely-for-3-5b/?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmluZy5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFEcij1hV64ZMclhs5D2sjBjvcvulrkSgppkSdflshQ7VmSBL6F9HQ66UzA7LBqjio8pwF4Eetj70Ab8hQ07VflAxnfoqWyxyMY30DfQgTuvXdXuLWOBXR8ngQUk4kO5T0OUH-foHyHNoBsJcxO8Yvi5hO6NaGRKS020DcRglWKe |access-date=2025-03-12 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> and the deal was completed on May 29, 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Astle |first=Aaron |date=2025-06-02 |title=Pokémon Go under new ownership as Scopely closes $3.5bn Niantic deal |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/pokemon-go-under-new-ownership-as-scopely-closes-35bn-niantic-deal/ |access-date=2025-11-03 |website=www.pocketgamer.biz |language=en}}</ref>
=== Moonton acquisition === On February 13, 2026, Reuters reported that Savvy Games Group is nearing a deal to acquire Chinese mobile game company Moonton from ByteDance for $7 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |title=One Of The Biggest Gaming Buyouts In History Is Reportedly Underway |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/one-of-the-biggest-gaming-buyouts-in-history-is-reportedly-underway/1100-6538177/ |access-date=2026-02-16 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}</ref> On March 21, 2026, Savvy Games Group announced its plan to acquire Moonton from ByteDance for $6 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cook |first=Paige |date=2026-03-20 |title=ByteDance to sell Moonton to Savvy Games Group in $6bn deal |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/bytedance-to-sell-moonton-to-savvy-games-group-in-6bn-deal/ |access-date=2026-03-21 |website=www.pocketgamer.biz |language=en}}</ref>
== Subsidiaries == {| class="wikitable" ! Company ! Location ! Date ! {{Abbr|Ref(s).|Reference(s)}} |- | ESL | Cologne, Germany | 2022 | <ref name="pcgamer-esl">{{cite news |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/major-esports-host-esl-gaming-is-now-owned-by-saudi-arabia/ |title=Major esports host ESL Gaming is now owned by Saudi Arabia |work=PC Gamer |date=15 March 2022 |access-date=5 April 2026}}</ref> |- | FACEIT | London, United Kingdom | 2022 | <ref>{{cite web |last=Rousseau |first=Jeffrey |date=24 January 2022 |title=Savvy Gaming Group purchases ESL Gaming and FaceIt |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2022-01-24-savvy-gaming-group-purchases-esl-gaming-and-faceit |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=25 January 2022}}</ref> |- | Scopely | Culver City, California | 2023 | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2023/01/12/tech/mobile-games-scopely-acquired-savvy-games-group-1235479123/ |title=Mobile Games Company Scopely to Be Acquired by Saudi-Backed Savvy Games Group |publisher=Variety |date=12 January 2023 |access-date=5 April 2026}}</ref> |- | Steer Studios | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | 2023 | <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/83642/savvy-games-studios-to-become-steer-studios/ |title=Savvy Games Studios to become Steer Studios |website=PocketGamer.biz |date=10 May 2023 |access-date=5 April 2026}}</ref> |}
== Stakes ==
{| class="wikitable" ! Company ! Location ! Date ! Note ! {{Abbr|Ref(s).|Reference(s)}} |- | Embracer Group | Karlstad, Sweden | 2022 | Minority stake (8.3%; approx. US$1.0 billion) | <ref>{{Cite web |last=Sertin |first=Carla |date=2023-11-21 |title=Savvy Games has $38 billion to build a Saudi gaming sector. Here's how they plan to do it |url=https://wired.me/business/savvy-games-saudi-pif-interview/ |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=WIRED Middle East |language=en-GB |archive-date=2024-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305073556/https://wired.me/business/savvy-games-saudi-pif-interview/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | Hero Esports | Shanghai, China | 2023 | Strategic minority stake (30%; approx. US$265 million) | <ref>{{Cite web |title=About Savvy Games Group |url=https://savvygames.com/about |website=Savvy Games Group |access-date=2024-04-04}}</ref> |- | Take-Two Interactive | New York, US | 2026 | Minority stake (5.94%; approx. US$3.0 billion) | <ref>{{Cite news |title=Saudi's Public Investment Fund transfers stake in Take-Two Interactive |url=https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/saudis-public-investment-fund-dissolves-stake-take-two-interactive-2026-02-17/}}</ref> |}
==Notes== {{notelist}}
== References == {{reflist}}
Category:Companies based in Riyadh Category:Video game publishers Category:Video game companies established in 2021 Category:Video game companies of Saudi Arabia