Shaping the future of esports: Savvy Games Group CEO Brian Ward on growth, partnerships, and opportunities

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I’m particularly enthusiastic about big events like the Esports World Cup. They’re becoming more than just competitions – they’re evolving into major cultural experiences that bring people together through entertainment and have a worldwide impact.

Savvy Games Group, a major player in gaming and esports worldwide, recently shared insights with Xpsp. CEO Brian Ward, a Canadian native, discussed Canada’s growing game development scene, his company’s investment strategy, and what the future holds for esports.

Savvy Games Group CEO Brian Ward on building sustainable ecosystems

Canada’s video game industry has thrived thanks to consistent, long-term planning, specific financial support, and programs like the SR&ED tax credit. The opening of Ubisoft Montréal was also a key factor in its success. Saudi Arabia can learn from Canada’s example as it develops its own gaming industry.

According to Ward, the opening of Ubisoft Montréal was key to Canada’s growth as a gaming center, drawing in other big companies like Electronic Arts and Warner Bros. Games. Canada has successfully blended international expertise with the development of skilled local talent, fostered by strong relationships between universities and the gaming industry. This combination has established Canada as a leading global hub for game development.

He added that Saudi Arabia could learn a lot from Canada’s success in creating a thriving games industry. His company, Savvy, is eager to partner with Canadian game studios interested in expanding into Saudi Arabia and the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. He specifically highlighted potential for collaboration in areas like game development education and building the necessary infrastructure to nurture local talent.

Brian Ward on partnerships and investments

Last year, Savvy Games Group expanded its reach beyond Canada, collaborating with companies like Unity, AWS, Side, and Territory. According to Ward, these partnerships are designed to foster a thriving game development environment in Saudi Arabia by investing in both education and the necessary infrastructure. This includes providing local developers, startups, and entrepreneurs with the tools and training they need to succeed.

We’re also helping companies such as Side, Territory, and Feed Me Light set up businesses in Saudi Arabia, and partnering with Saudi universities to include game development in their courses. As the gaming industry there grows, there’s still a lot of potential for further development.

Ward explained Savvy’s plans for the future, specifically mentioning their purchase of Scopely as part of that strategy.

He expressed his excitement about Scopely’s ongoing achievements, particularly exceeding $5 billion in total revenue. He also highlighted the successful acquisition of Niantic’s games division in 2025, explaining that this move aligns perfectly with Savvy’s goal of investing in top-performing teams and helping them succeed by providing resources and support where it matters most.

Ward explained that Savvy Games Group focuses on investing in companies where they can become a top player in the market.

We invest in opportunities that allow us to become leaders in new markets, especially areas where we aren’t currently strong. We also seek partnerships that can benefit the entire gaming industry, whether by fostering innovation in game creation, improving esports facilities, or broadening access to gaming worldwide, he said.

Savvy Games Group CEO Brian Ward on the future of esports

Ward highlighted the strong community and fan involvement surrounding the Esports World Cup, noting its potential to drive further growth. He shared that the 2025 event featured 2,500 professional players, attracted over 3 million visitors to Riyadh, and totaled more than 340 million hours of viewership, peaking at 7.5 million concurrent viewers.

These findings really highlight how esports is becoming a major global entertainment force, according to Ward. It’s attracting a large and dedicated audience of digital natives – people who’ve grown up with the internet – and that’s catching the attention of companies outside the gaming world. This is evident in the growing number of partnerships, with ESL FACEIT Group securing over 130 deals with brands like Intel, Red Bull, DHL, and even Lamborghini.

He’s particularly excited about how esports events like the EWC are becoming major cultural experiences, focused on entertainment, bringing people together, and reaching a worldwide audience. He also believes Saudi Arabia’s plans for national games and esports will create a long-term, thriving environment for the industry.

Ward expressed his enthusiasm for large events like the Esports World Cup, explaining that they’re becoming more than just competitions. They’re evolving into major cultural experiences that bring people together through entertainment and have a worldwide impact. He emphasized that these events showcase not only the talent and hard work of esports players, but also the massive team effort needed to pull them off.

Saudi Arabia’s plan for national games and esports is building a strong, lasting foundation for the industry. It focuses on getting people involved at all levels – from casual players and fans to professional competitors – because that’s where the biggest potential for future growth lies. The strategy aims to nurture talent and create opportunities for everyone, ensuring the industry can thrive long-term.

In his closing remarks, Ward highlighted the potential for growth in Saudi Arabia and throughout the broader Middle East and North Africa.

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2026-01-20 02:11