Electronic Arts (EA) has transitioned to private ownership following a $210-per-share acquisition by a consortium including Saudi Arabia’s sovereign fund, Affinity Partners, and Silver Lake. The move ends EA’s 36-year run as a publicly traded company on NASDAQ.

The deal leaves EA with $18 billion in debt, resulting in annual interest payments of approximately $1.8 billion. To offset financial burdens, the company plans to cut costs by $700 million annually, with $170 million coming from organizational efficiencies. CEO Andrew Wilson received over $38 million in compensation as part of the transition.

EA’s recent financial performance was partly supported by the release of Battlefield 6, though the game has struggled to retain player interest. The gaming industry is bracing for a wave of layoffs, with 2026 potentially seeing peak levels similar to previous years. EA is expected to implement mass layoffs due to financial pressures, though exact numbers remain undisclosed.