Ambition Check
Saudi Arabia’s PIF reportedly short on fresh capital for new investments
Insiders say much of the fund’s wealth is tied up in illiquid megaprojects like Neom
Related People
Brian Ward
CEO
Accolades
Articles featuring Savvy Games Group
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Pgc Aqaba
MENA’s games industry and global leaders forge trailblazing connections at Pocket Gamer Connects Aqaba
Local, regional and global games industry delegates gathered to explore the world’s fastest growing games market at PG Connects Aqaba 2025
Best Of Mena 2025
The Top 30 MENA Game Makers of 2025
The publishers and developers to watch in the Middle East and North Africa region
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group signs MoU with Humain to advance AI adoption across its operations
The partnership focuses on developing tailored AI tools for key business functions, including game development
Mega Deal
It’s official: EA agrees $55bn buyout deal
Saudi Arabia's PIF, Silver Lake and Affinity Partners swoop for publisher in all-cash deal
Buyout Speculation
What might a $55bn EA buyout mean?
Games industry analysts offer their insights on what a potential deal could mean
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group signs MoU with Alinma Bank to deliver tailored banking solutions for Saudi gamers
The partnership aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Gaming and Esports Strategy
Strategic Move
Savvy eyes multibillion-dollar deals in China and Asia amid US-China tensions
Currently ranked 8th globally, Savvy is pushing to climb the publishing charts
Hot Five
Hot Five: Uma Musume: Pretty Derby’s overseas victory, Destiny: Rising’s mobile launch, and India's games companies hit by real-money ban
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
Marvellous Mena
Saudi Arabia’s games market projected to reach $1.64bn by 2028
Savvy Games Group's 2024 annual report shows the MENA region generated $5.62bn in 2024 and is estimated to reach $6.94bn in 2027
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group signs MoU with Al Jouf’s strategic office to develop games and esports
Savvy and JSDO will co-organise events to attract gamers and esports fans to the region
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group partners with AWS to boost Saudi Arabia’s games technology infrastructure
Savvy CEO Brian Ward says the deal will empower the Kingdom’s developer ecosystem
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group signs MoU with Unity to boost opportunities for Saudi games developers
Qualifying projects gain free access to Unity’s backend, analytics, ads, and multiplayer tools
Winners Revealed
Savvy Games Group and HP conclude GameOn GameJam with winning teams revealed
Winners to join Savvy Academy’s three-month Incubator Program in collaboration with Xsolla
Expansions
Territory Studio partner with Savvy Games Group to expand into the Middle East
Territory will open its first Middle East location in Riyadh later this year
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group and King Abdulaziz University partner to launch diplomas in games and esports
The new academic programmes aim to blend classroom learning with hands-on industry experience
Podcast | Episode 61
Zynga's successes and failures, and Moon Active takes the fight to Scopely | Week in Mobile Games podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and what's inside this week's episode 61...
Expansions
Side signs deal with Savvy Games Group to open Riyadh office
Firm plans to not only support Savvy’s initiatives but also launch its own training programmes in Saudi Arabia
Game Update
Steer Studios pulls Grunt Rush from app stores for planned updates
The studio’s debut title is currently unavailable to new players
New Offerings
Savvy Games Group and PNU’s Applied College sign MoU to equip women for careers in games development
Training will cover areas like concept design, 3D modelling, animation and interactive storytelling
Done Deal
Pokémon Go under new ownership as Scopely closes $3.5bn Niantic deal
Pokémon Go, Monster Hunter Now, Pikmin Bloom and their associated development teams have officially been acquired
New Offerings
Savvy Games Group launches Academy website to boost Saudi game development
The Academy includes a series of Savvy-funded initiatives to support the next generation of developers and creatives in the Kingdom
New Office
Savvy Games Group opens first permanent HQ in Riyadh
New HQ now houses both Steer Studios and Mirai, bringing them under one roof
Game Jam
Savvy Games Group and HP launch climate-themed Game Jam in Saudi Arabia
The top three teams will then join the Savvy Incubator program in September
New Games
New release roundup: Disney Solitaire, Jetpack Joyride Racing, TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge and more
We highlight the latest new games that have broken cover over the past week
Esports In Mena
Savvy Games Group and Saudi Esports Federation Sign MoU to boost Saudi Arabia esports sector
The MoU will create internship opportunities for graduates of the Saudi Esports Academy
Hot Five
Hot Five: Trump tariffs turmoil, Agonalea Games’ $2m funding, and games M&A hits $6.6bn in Q1
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
Mena Month
How Savvy aims to grow its games empire after $3.5bn Niantic deal
PocketGamer.biz speaks to CEO Brian Ward about buying the Pokémon Go developer Niantic, how it works with Scopely, and its plans outside of mobile
Partnership Deal
Scopely to make game based on CD Projekt IP
Polish developer has worked on The Witcher series and Cyberpunk 2077
M&a
Savvy Games Group plots PC and console M&A
Deal could potentially be led by Scopely, says CEO Brian Ward
Pokemon Property
Pokémon Go won't get obtrusive ads or sell location data after $3.5bn Scopely acquisition, product director confirms
"That is not happening in Pokémon Go - not now, not ever."
Ar And Ai
Niantic Spatial spin-off nets $250m funding after Scopely acquisition
Monopoly Go developer is investing $50m into the tech firm
Video
Pocket Gamer Reacts: Breaking down Scopely's blockbuster $3.5bn deal for Niantic's games business
The PocketGamer.biz's hot takes on this big news
Straight Stats
Pokémon Go has 20m weekly active players nearly nine years after its global launch
New figures have emerged on Niantic’s licenced games following $3.5bn Scopely deal announcement
Acquisition Accomplished
Scopely acquires Pokémon Go developer Niantic's games business in $3.5bn deal
Blockbuster deal brings the multi-billion-dollar hit mobile game under the Savvy Games Group umbrella
Mena Guide
Seven reasons why you can't ignore the MENA market
Discover why the MENA region is becoming a global hotspot for business growth in the games industry
Big Deal
Niantic reportedly in talks to sell Pokémon Go and games business to Scopely for $3.5bn
The deal isn’t finalised, according to people familiar with the matter, but could be officially announced "in coming weeks"
Esports In Mena
Savvy Games Group and HP sign MoU to help Saudi Arabia learners get careers in gaming and esports
Saudi games and esports group said it will also provide skill-building opportunities through incubator programs
New Partnerships
Savvy Games Group and Merak Capital partner to boost Saudi Arabia’s games ecosystem
The partnership builds on Merak Capital's $80 million gaming fund to support the Kingdom's esports sector
Dubai Investment Summit
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2025 powering global investment, fueling games innovation
Discover how Dubai GameExpo Summit 2025 powered by PG Connects is shaping the future as a destination for games investment
New Appointment
Savvy Games Group taps Nika Nour as new SVP and head of international business development
Her career spans Congressional Affairs, digital advocacy, and leadership in the games industry
Best Of 2024
Isa Muhammad's top stories of 2024: Nazara's $100m M&A push, Gamathon 24, MENA's gaming boom, and China's license rebound
PocketGamer.biz MENA reporter Isa Muhammad highlights some of the top stories of 2024
New Studio
Monopoly Go developer Scopely opens new studio in Saudi Arabia
The new division, called Mirai, is led by industry veteran Charity Joy
Mena's Rising Star
How government investment is fueling rapid growth in the MENA region
The fast-growing market is levelling up its gaming ecosystems and development talent
Big Plans Ahead
Scopely plans major acquisition next year
“I hope that we announce at least one megadeal," said Scopely's chief revenue officer Tim O’Brien
Mixed Messaging
Saudi Arabia cuts Nintendo stake despite suggestions it could increase it
As of June, Saudi Arabia's PIF owned 8.58% of Nintendo, which is now down to 7.54%
Mena Region
Saudi Arabia's PIF to transfer gaming Stocks to Savvy Games Group
The PIF will remain a collaborative partner once the transfer is completed
Hot Five
Hot Five: Harry Potter canned, Savvy's Saudi surge, Pokémon turns five and switching roles at miHoYo…
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
Podcast | Episode 27
Savvy's MENA investment and Finnish dev Lightneer closes | Week in Mobile Games podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and and what's inside this week's episode 27...
Mena Means Business
Savvy Games Group strikes key deals to power MENA industry growth
As string of partnerships and investments this week are focused on building the Middle East into a gaming powerhouse