Saudi-Led Consortium to Acquire EA for $55B, Fans and Employees Concerned
Electronic Arts (EA) is set to be acquired by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners for $55 billion. The deal, which could be finalised by mid-2026, has sparked concerns among fans and employees alike.
EA CEO Andrew Wilson will retain his position post-acquisition. The buyout is subject to regulatory approval, though the specific authority overseeing the process remains unclear. Experts warn that EA's high debt could lead to cost-cutting measures, potentially including layoffs and studio closures. Fans fear a loss of creative freedom, particularly for titles like 'The Sims', which caters to the LGBTQ+ community. An anonymous EA employee has expressed nervousness about potential job cuts. The buyout could also impact the release of upcoming games like 'GTA 6' and significantly change EA's game-making strategies.
The deal is led by PIF, which already holds a 9.9% stake in EA and will increase its shares to take a majority stake. Affinity Partners, Kushner's investment firm, is part of the consortium and has close ties to PIF.
The acquisition of EA by the Saudi-led consortium is expected to reshape the gaming industry. As regulatory approval is sought, fans and employees await news on the potential impacts on jobs, creative freedom, and upcoming game releases.
