EA Could Merge With Savvy Games Group Weeks After Saudi Acquisition

Electronic Arts has barely settled into Saudi ownership, and its new parent is already weighing a major structural shift. According to Bloomberg sources reported by Xboxygen, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is exploring a merger between EA and Savvy Games Group, the PIF’s dedicated gaming subsidiary, just weeks after closing the $55 billion acquisition of the American publisher.

What a Merger Would Bring Together

Savvy Games Group already controls a substantial slice of the global games industry. Its portfolio includes Scopely, ESL Gaming, and FaceIt, and the company holds minority stakes in Nintendo, Capcom, Nexon, Take-Two Interactive, Activision Blizzard, Koei Tecmo, and Embracer Group, the latter representing a $1 billion investment. Folding EA into that structure would hand Savvy one of the most recognized publishing brands in the world, home to franchises like FIFA, The Sims, Battlefield, and Need for Speed.

The stated motivation, per Xboxygen, is better coordination across the PIF’s growing collection of gaming assets. Saudi Arabia has committed enormous capital to the sector, with Savvy having overseen approximately $37.8 billion in gaming-related investments since its founding in 2021.

Timing and Obstacles

A merger is not imminent. Savvy is currently working to close its $6 billion acquisition of Moonton, the Chinese studio behind Mobile Legends, and Bloomberg’s sources indicate a combination with EA is unlikely before that deal wraps up. The sequence of events means any formal integration could still be months away at minimum.

The speculation also arrives at a moment of leadership transition at Savvy. Brian Ward, who had led the company since its creation in 2021, recently stepped down as CEO. Turqi Alnowaiser, the PIF’s deputy governor and head of its international investments division, is serving as interim leader. That shift at the top, coming precisely as the PIF considers restructuring its gaming holdings, adds another layer of uncertainty to the situation.

Key Numbers at a Glance

Still a Rumor

It is worth stressing that nothing here is confirmed. No official announcement has come from EA, Savvy, or the PIF. If the merger does move forward, it would represent the next major step in Saudi Arabia’s strategy to position itself as a central power in the global games market. For now, the industry is left watching how the Moonton deal resolves and who ultimately takes permanent control at Savvy.

Sources: Xboxygen