Electronic Arts (EA) has been sold for $55 billion to a group of investors including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The deal will make EA a private company, with all its shares being bought out and no longer traded on the stock exchange. Affinity Partners, led by Jared Kushner, is also involved in the deal.

A significant portion of the financing comes from loans, with JPMorgan providing around $20 billion, which will be added to EA’s balance sheet. Analysts express concerns about potential mass layoffs, aggressive monetization, and cost-cutting measures. Gamers have criticized the deal, fearing negative impacts on game content, particularly for inclusive franchises like The Sims.

PIF, managed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has previously invested in sports and esports, including Newcastle United and the Esports World Cup 2025. Experts suggest the deal has strategic significance beyond economics, potentially serving as a tool of ‘soft power’ due to EA’s massive audience. Despite financial success, including $7.5 billion in revenue last year and record sales of Battlefield 6, EA has already faced layoffs. The new ownership structure may exacerbate these trends.