Major Gaming Shake-Up Could Put EA and Pokémon Go Under One Roof

Saudi Arabia’s growing influence over the global games business could be heading for another major shake-up. A possible merger involving two of its biggest gaming investments may bring some of the industry’s most recognisable franchises and companies closer together.

The move would span console, PC, mobile and esports, giving one ownership structure an unusually broad reach across modern entertainment. It also arrives as consolidation, rising development costs and changing gaming trends continue to reshape how major publishers operate.

EA and Savvy consider merger

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is considering merging Electronic Arts with Savvy Games Group, although no final decision has been made. The proposed combination is intended to improve coordination between the assets held across both businesses.

EA recently became part of a $55 billion leveraged buyout led by PIF alongside Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. Its portfolio includes major franchises such as EA Sports FC, Apex Legends and Battlefield, giving the group a strong position in console and PC publishing.

Savvy, by comparison, has built much of its presence through mobile games and esports. Bringing the two together could create a much larger operation capable of influencing game development across several platforms at once.

Scopely adds mobile weight

One of Savvy’s biggest deals was its $4.9 billion acquisition of Scopely in 2023. Scopely later purchased Niantic’s games business for $3.5 billion, bringing the teams behind Pokémon Go into its growing portfolio.

Scopely has also expanded through other acquisitions, while Savvy owns esports businesses including ESL and FaceIt. Its planned $6 billion purchase of Mobile Legends maker Moonton would add another major mobile developer, although the EA merger is reportedly unlikely to happen before that transaction is completed.

Such a combination could make future gaming industry innovations less about individual studios and more about how large groups share technology, expertise and publishing resources.

New leadership reshapes strategy

Savvy’s corporate structure is already changing. Former CEO Brian Ward stepped down after overseeing around $38 billion in investments, saying the company was entering a new period of growth.

Turqi Alnowaiser, a senior PIF executive who was involved in the EA deal, has taken over on an interim basis. His appointment comes as questions grow over how two massive Saudi-backed gaming businesses should operate alongside one another.

Any restructuring could affect priorities around investment, staffing and game development, especially as EA now carries substantial debt from its leveraged buyout. Concerns have already been raised that financial pressure could influence staffing levels and future single-player projects.

A much bigger games empire

Beyond direct acquisitions, Savvy holds billions of dollars in gaming-related shares, including stakes in companies such as Nintendo and Bandai Namco. Combined with EA and Scopely, that would leave PIF connected to a huge section of the global industry.

The merger would not suddenly combine every franchise under one studio, but it could create closer coordination behind the scenes. How those resources are divided could shape gaming industry innovations, investment decisions and even top upcoming video game releases.