The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia plans to move its gaming shares to Savvy Games Group

Plans are underway for Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) to relocate its gaming assets to Savvy Games Group, a subsidiary. This move may occur as soon as 2025, according to a Savvy representative who spoke with Nikkei. This strategic shift aligns with efforts to exploit intellectual property across the Middle East, noted the Japanese publication.

The PIF intends not just to invest, but to engage more deeply in gaming, though the specifics of this heightened involvement remain unclear, as reported by Nikkei. A recent development by Qiddiya Investment Company, another PIF entity, involves establishing a Dragon Ball theme park in Saudi Arabia, exemplifying the kind of initiatives that are expected to amplify in the future.

Savvy reveals that its leadership has been in discussions with Japanese gaming companies to facilitate their penetration into the Saudi Arabian and wider Middle East and North Africa markets. The goal is to improve collaboration through games, esports, and intellectual property while providing support with localization efforts.

Saudi Arabia's PIF has been steadily acquiring shares in prominent Japanese firms, including raising its stake in Nintendo to 8.58%. It has also increased its holdings in Capcom and Nexon to 6.6% and 10.23%, respectively, and owns 8.97% of Koei Tecmo. Beyond Japan, the PIF has substantial investments in Electronic Arts (9.34%), Take Two (6.52%), and Activision Blizzard.

In a conversation last year, Savvy Games Group CEO Brian Ward elaborated on the company’s objectives, outlining how it aims to cultivate its gaming business while attempting to alter perceptions of Saudi Arabia, a nation criticized for its human rights record.