Savvy Games Group plans to spend massive $37.8 billion in the games business

The Savvy Gaming Group, a government-funded gaming behemoth in Saudi Arabia, will invest $37.8 billion in gaming as part of a contentious drive to increase the kingdom’s involvement in the market.

Savvy is poised to acquire a large number of gaming firms and launch a number of its own.

According to the kingdom’s news service, Savvy has set aside more than $13 billion “for the purchase and development of a major gaming publisher to become a strategic development partner.”  Another $18 billion has been set aside for minority investments.   According to the news agency, Savvy’s efforts are projected to generate 250 gaming firms and create 39,000 employment. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had  announced the investments.

“We are using the latent potential in the esports and games industry to diversify our economy, encourage innovation in the sector, and grow the entertainment and esports competition offers across the Kingdom,” Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said on Thursday.  The Crown Prince also serves as the chairman of the board of directors of Savvy Games. He unveiled plans earlier this month to promote the country’s gaming and esports industries, with the goal of creating 39,000 employment and increasing GDP by 50 billion riyals ($13.3 billion) by 2030.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is believed to be an ardent Call of Duty player, therefore Saudi Arabia’s interest in gaming and esports stems from the top. The national esports federation was established in 2017, and the number of esports teams in the kingdom has grown from two to more than 100 since then. According to survey results, 21 million people — over two-thirds of the national population — identify themselves gamers.

Savvy’s investments will be centered on four essential pillars: improving profits, having a local effect, leaving a worldwide footprint, and growing, which will lead to international games investing, creating sustainable returns, and empowering creators across the whole value chain.

Savvy will accelerate talent in the Kingdom and leverage the Kingdom’s unique geographical location to establish Saudi Arabia as the dominating global hub for gaming and esports.

Brian Ward, former head of international studios at Activision Blizzard, is the CEO of Savvy Games Group, a games and esports firm formed to foster the long-term growth and development of esports and the larger games industry globally. Savvy intends to become a worldwide leader in gaming and esports by deploying considerable money over long-term horizons as a global champion of this thriving sector.

Its investments will foster participation and advancement in the sector across gender, region, means, and ability. Savvy’s investments are meant to propel the industry forward internationally, making it a more welcoming, engaging, and lucrative environment for fans, players, developers, and technological innovators. This will allow for greater and more fair access to this rapidly developing and dynamic market.