Leading Games, Esports & Innovation in Saudi Arabia | Brian Ward 141 | CEO Savvy Games

Leading Games, Esports & Innovation in Saudi Arabia | Brian Ward 141 | CEO Savvy Games

Author: Mo Islam March 6, 2025 Duration: 50:43

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 Intros

6:23 Saudi Gaming Passion

10:43 Skills Benefits of Gaming

14:05 VR Innovation

15:05 Industry Challenges

16:55 Evolution of Games1

8:59 Sports Brand Partnerships

25:55 Personal Favorites

31:37 Acquisition Growth Success

36:01 Horizontal Leadership

38:08 Building a Talented Team

40:05 Taking Risks Being Adaptable

46:03 Overcoming Career Labels

47:07 Savvy’s Mission Esports Dominance

53:22 Final Thoughts Anecdotes


Hosted by Mo Islam, The Mo Show is a conversation held in English, rooted in the daily rhythms and broader narratives of life in Saudi Arabia. This podcast moves beyond headlines to explore the textures of local society and the diverse cultural currents shaping the region. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair for a candid discussion, where personal stories and thoughtful observations reveal the complexities and warmth of a community in flux. You’ll hear from a variety of voices-locals and long-term residents, artists and entrepreneurs, everyday people with compelling perspectives-all contributing to a richer, more nuanced picture. The conversations are unscripted and meandering in the best way, often uncovering unexpected connections between tradition and modernity, or between individual dreams and collective identity. Tuning into this podcast offers a genuine sense of place, a listening experience that feels both intimate and expansive. It’s for anyone curious about the human stories behind the social and cultural evolution within the Kingdom, presented not as a lecture but as an ongoing, engaging dialogue.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Mo Show Presented by BSF
Podcast Episodes
Princess Noura Al Saud and How She Took Saudi Fashion Global! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:59
On this episode, we sit down with Princess Noura bint Faisal Al Saud, the visionary behind Saudi Arabia’s first-ever fashion week and CEO of JAY3LLE. She shares the journey of building a fashion industry in the Kingdom f…
Matthias Jaissle on His Career-Ending Injury to Coaching Success [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:07
0:00 Intro2:49 Career-Defining Injury5:00 From Player to Coach8:04 What Success Really Means10:42 Competing for the Title Challenges14:45 Player Insights: Mahrez, Toney, Ibanez Mendy17:01 Leadership Group Managing Player…
"This Is How Saudi Arabia Went Fully Digital" -H.E. Deemah AlYahya [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:24
Her Excellency is a Saudi tech-diplomat shaping the future of the global digital economy. As the founding Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), she leads international efforts to bring governme…