Saudi Wealth Fund Invests Over $1B In Gaming Firms

The Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, is taking its investments in video game companies to the next level with the purchase of a combined holding worth more than $1 billion in gaming firms Capcom and Nexon.

The PIF, which has $480 billion in assets under management, disclosed it has acquired a more than 5% stake in each of the Japan-based companies. 

The fund purchased a stake in Capcom, the studio behind the “Street Fighter” franchise worth roughly $332 million, according to Friday’s share price, while its stake in online games provider Nexon is worth about $883 million.

Headed by Crown Prince Mohammed, the PIF has a growing list of gaming-related investments. 

• The fund has 5.6 million Take-Two Interactive shares worth roughly $996 million.
• It has 14.2 million Electronic Arts shares worth $1.9 billion.
• The fund has 37.9 million Activision Blizzard shares worth more than $3 billion. 

The PIF has been aggressive about investing in gaming. In January, Savvy Gaming Group — fully backed by the fund — purchased esports tournament and league operators ESL and FACEIT for a combined $1.5 billion.

Staying Busy 

Earlier this week, The Asian Tour announced an increased investment by LIV Golf Investments, an investment entity backed by the PIF. To date, LIV has invested $300 million in the tour.

The PIF has also invested in McLaren, acquired the Premier League’s Newcastle, and is reportedly nearing a deal to purchase Serie A’s Inter Milan for $1 billion.