Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is taking steps to centralize its gaming investments. The PIF plans to transfer all of its gaming industry stock holdings to Savvy Games Group, a subsidiary focused on developing the Kingdom’s gaming and esports sector.
While Savvy Games Group will assume ownership of these assets, the PIF will continue to play a collaborative role. This move aims to use existing intellectual property within the Middle East and bolster the PIF’s broader strategy. This strategy includes diversifying Saudi Arabia’s economy by fostering growth in the games and esports entertainment industries.
Savvy’s Ambitious Growth Plans
Savvy Games Group is aggressively pursuing its goal of transforming Saudi Arabia into a leading global hub for gaming. With a substantial investment plan of $37.8 billion, the company has been making significant moves:
- Major Acquisition: In 2023, Savvy acquired mobile game developer Scopely for $4.9 billion.
- Strategic Partnerships: The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with Niantic, the creators of Pokémon GO, and is actively encouraging Asian gaming giants like Nintendo and Capcom to establish a presence in the Middle East.
- Job Creation: Savvy aims to generate 600 new jobs within Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning games industry.
PIF’s Existing Gaming Portfolio
Beyond the assets being transferred, the PIF already holds notable stakes in established gaming companies:
| Company | Stake |
| Nintendo (Japan) | 8.26% |
| Koei Tecmo (Japan) | 6.6% |
Savvy Games Group has also been actively investing in the esports sector. Last year, it invested $265 million in Chinese esports company VSPO and facilitated EFG’s acquisition of Vindex, an esports infrastructure platform.
Dominating the Esports Market
According to Savvy CEO Brian Ward, the company’s strategic investments have secured an estimated 40% share of the global esports market. This strong position provides a solid foundation for driving future growth and solidifying Saudi Arabia’s role as a major player in the global gaming and esports industry.
