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Video game behemoth Electronic Arts has officially changed hands following a monumental $55 billion acquisition.
The California-based developer, known for blockbuster franchises like “Battlefield” and “The Sims,” confirmed Tuesday the sale of its business to a consortium including Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund PIF, investment firm Silver Lake Partners, and Affinity Partners, led by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald Trump.
This record-setting transaction marks the largest private equity-funded buyout in history, potentially signaling significant shifts within the global gaming landscape.
EA CEO Andrew Wilson stated the new ownership would “invest boldly, accelerate innovation, and build the next generation of games and experiences for the hundreds of millions of players and fans who inspire us every day.”
Turqi Alnowaiser, PIF’s deputy governor and head of international investments, echoed this, pledging to “invest heavily in EA’s growth,” particularly through artificial intelligence in game development. PIF had already held a minority stake in EA for five years.
While some analysts suggest going private could offer EA greater freedom from public market pressures, others highlight the $20 billion in debt financing, raising concerns about potential layoffs and cost-cutting measures.
(Getty)
The involvement of Saudi Arabia’s PIF and Kushner’s Affinity Partners has drawn considerable scrutiny. Critics are questioning the implications for EA’s future game development.
The U.K.-based campaign #BlockTheEADeal, which previously urged regulators to challenge the buyout, warned in an online petition: “With this deal, Saudi Arabia and Jared Kushner just bought access to 700 million players worldwide.
With the increased use of AI in the creative sector and video games, the potential for data misuse by a foreign sovereign is high and poses significant international security risks.”
Kushner, in a Tuesday statement, asserted that EA had “created stories, characters, and communities that have become part of everyday life for hundreds of millions of people” and that Affinity was “excited to support the company as it continues to reach new audiences.”
Meanwhile, human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have consistently criticized Saudi Arabia’s extensive investments in sports and esports, often accusing the nation of “sportswashing” to divert attention from its human rights record.
PIF has steadily expanded its gaming portfolio, already holding a minority stake in Nintendo and a substantial esports presence, including platforms like ESL FACEIT. EA’s “Madden NFL” and “EA Sports FC” (formerly FIFA) will now join this growing umbrella.
With the transaction finalized, EA stockholders will receive $210 in cash per share, and the company’s stock is no longer traded on the public market.
