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Brian Ward steps down as Savvy Games Group CEO
Brian Ward is stepping down as CEO of Savvy Games Group, a company established in 2021 to expand Saudi Arabia's presence in the global games industry. Turqi Alnowaiser, deputy governor of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), will serve as interim acting CEO. Ward's tenure saw significant acquisitions, including Scopely and Moonton.
CEO of Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group Brian Ward steps down after overseeing billions in mobile gaming acquisitions
Brian Ward, CEO of Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group, has stepped down after overseeing billions in investments, including significant stakes in Niantic and Scopely. His departure comes amidst concerns following Saudi Arabia's recent acquisition of Electronic Arts. Industry analyst George Osborn noted Ward's diligent work in building Savvy's portfolio, balancing acquisitions with ecosystem development.
Jobs roundup: September 2026 | Fandom expands executive leadership team
Several companies in the gaming industry have announced executive appointments and promotions. Fandom expanded its leadership team with new hires and a promotion, while The New York Times appointed Jonathan Knight as chief games officer. Scopely saw two new appointments, and other companies like Arrowhead Game Studios, Epic Games, Blizzard Entertainment, King, CD Projekt Red, and Unity also announced new roles and promotions for their staff.
Entity raises $5.8 million to build browser-based "console-quality" gaming platform
Irish startup Entity has secured $5.8 million in seed funding to develop a browser-based gaming platform aiming to deliver console-quality experiences without downloads. The platform, slated for a 2027 launch, will utilize WebGPU and WebAssembly and is founded by veterans of the mobile game Star Trek Fleet Command.
Irish browser games start-up Entity raises $5M in funding for 'console-quality games for the 'new web' era'
Irish start-up Entity has secured $5 million in seed funding to develop a new gaming platform focused on browser-based, console-quality games. The platform utilizes WebGPU and WebAssembly to run games directly in the browser without downloads, aiming to eliminate the lag associated with cloud gaming. The company, co-founded by former DIGIT Game Studios members, plans to launch its platform in 2027 with a range of original and existing titles.
'I feel dirty:' EA workers trapped in a maelstrom of cynicism and doubt after Saudi buyout
Employees at Electronic Arts are expressing deep cynicism and doubt following the company's buyout by an investor consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Despite assurances from EA leadership, workers fear the acquisition will lead to cultural changes, potential project cancellations, and layoffs, as well as concerns about the country's human rights record and the use of 'sportswashing' and 'pixelwashing' to launder its image.
Massively on the Go: Pokemon Go 10th Anniversary Mega Finale is less free and less content
The Pokemon Go 10th Anniversary Go Fest Mega Finale is facing criticism for its perceived lack of content and increased monetization. Players are expressing dissatisfaction with the cost of unlocking Mega Evolutions, particularly for starters and Mewtwo, which requires significantly more energy compared to other Mega Evolutions like the Primals. Concerns are also raised about the value proposition of paid event tickets and the potential for future features like Plus Moves to be similarly locked behind paywalls.
Hundo Mewtwo Available For Pokemon GO In New Event
Pokemon GO is offering a special timed research event from August 12 to September 6, 2026, to compensate players who missed a previous invitation-only event. Participants can earn a perfect IV Mewtwo with a special background, a Master Ball, and Mega Energy. Players who attended the original event will receive different rewards.
EA Is Now Privately Owned After a Record $55 Billion Buyout What It Means for Players | Gamedoper
Electronic Arts has been acquired for $55 billion by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, making it the largest all-cash leveraged buyout in history. This move takes EA private, removing public shareholder oversight and potentially allowing for longer-term investments, with a focus on AI in game development highlighted by Silver Lake. While EA's current game pipeline remains unaffected, the long-term impact on monetization and game development strategies under the new ownership is yet to be seen.
EA Has Officially Been Sold, And What Comes Next Could Be Painful
Electronic Arts has been acquired by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in a $55 billion leveraged buyout, making it the largest LBO in history. The deal has raised concerns about potential layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations due to the significant debt involved. EA CEO Andrew Wilson will remain in his position, but the company's future financial operations will be less transparent as it moves from public to private ownership.
AI startup Reforged Labs shuts down as the "gap we were selling into is closing"
AI startup Reforged Labs, which provided generative AI technology for mobile game marketing, is shutting down after three years. Despite signing six-figure contracts with major clients like Supercell and Ubisoft, the company struggled to scale beyond the gaming sector. CEO Robert Huynh cited the closing gap in AI capabilities as a factor, leading to the decision to cease operations rather than shrink the business.
AppMagic: Pokémon Go generates $48.5m during 10th anniversary celebrations
Pokémon Go generated over $48.5 million in in-app purchases during its 10th anniversary week, a new weekly record, driven by the Road to Legends event and Pokémon Go Fest: Global. The game ranked fourth globally for grossing apps that week and has accumulated over $6.4 billion in revenue since its 2016 launch. Scopely executives confirmed that a sequel is unlikely, with future developments focusing on expanding the existing game's community and features.
Pokemon GO Fest Finale 2026 Dates & Leak Details
Scopely has announced that Pokemon GO Fest Finale 2026 will take place on September 5th and 6th. Leaks suggest that Mega Greninja, Mega Delphox, Mega Chesnaut, and potentially Mega Zygrade will be featured. The article also briefly mentions an upcoming anniversary event for Clash of Clans.
Pokemon GO Hints At Removing Free PokeCoins from Gyms
Pokemon GO players are speculating about the potential removal of free PokeCoins earned from gyms, following a viral social media screenshot of a survey question. While Scopely has not confirmed any changes, the survey asked players how the removal of gym-based PokeCoin earnings would affect their interactions. This system is a primary way players acquire premium items like raid passes, and its removal could significantly impact player engagement with gyms.
Hasbro records $56M write down after scrapping 'several' video games
Hasbro reported a $56 million non-cash write down after cancelling several video games planned for 2028 and beyond. CEO Chris Cocks stated the decision reflects a new digital strategy focusing on key franchises like Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, with an emphasis on cost discipline and owned platforms. The company expects its total digital spend to decrease annually by at least 25 percent by 2028.
Hasbro Writes Down $56 Million After Cancelling Several Games
Hasbro has recorded a $56 million write-down due to the cancellation of several video game projects planned for release in 2028 and beyond. CEO Chris Cocks stated this move is part of a refocused digital strategy prioritizing franchises like Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons, and successful mobile titles like Monopoly Go!. While Exodus and Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons remain in development for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, other projects, including one from Giant Skull, have been cancelled.
Hasbro Is Betting On Fewer, Bigger Video Games After $56 Million Write-Down
Hasbro has recorded a $56 million write-down related to its video game portfolio, leading to the cancellation of several titles planned for release in 2028 and beyond. CEO Chris Cocks outlined a new strategy focusing on fewer, bigger games, prioritizing owned intellectual property like Magic and Dungeons & Dragons, and concentrating investment on high-conviction titles and partnerships. While some projects like Exodus and Warlock remain on track for 2027, others, including a Dungeons & Dragons single-player action-adventure game, have been canceled.
What does the next 10 years hold for Pokémon Go? More mechanics, better gyms, and "multi-generational play"
Michael Steranka, vice president of product at Scopely Explore, discussed the future of Pokémon Go, outlining plans for enhanced gyms, more community events, and features to facilitate multi-generational play over the next decade. Despite a recent change in ownership from Niantic to Scopely, the development team aims to maintain the game's core experience while introducing new mechanics and fostering community engagement.
Pokemon GO Fest 2026 Make-Up Event Announced
Scopely has announced that the Pokemon GO Fest 2026 Make-Up Event will now be available worldwide to address technical issues encountered during the global event. The event will now offer 12 free raid passes, an increase from the original nine, obtainable by spinning gym discs. While the community appreciates the swift action, there is hope for further compensation for premium resources used during the problematic Sunday raids.
Pokemon Pokopia New Event Brings Exclusive Rewards
Pokemon Pokopia is launching a new limited-time event called Zorua's Hide-and-Sneak Contest from July 19 to July 27, 2026. Players can earn exclusive rewards by finding Zorua as quickly as possible, with competitive elements including personal bests, town records, and Cloud Island leaderboards. An update to version 1.1.1 is required to participate.
