A Saudi-led investor group has acquired global video game giant Electronic Arts (EA) for $55 billion. The deal ends EA’s 36-year history as a publicly traded company and is being described as one of the largest acquisitions in the history of the gaming industry.
The transaction was completed following final approval from European Union regulators. The new ownership group includes Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, and Silver Lake Partners.
EA’s most popular franchises include EA Sports FC, formerly known as FIFA, The Sims, Madden NFL, and Battlefield. These games have built large communities of millions of players around the world.
Following the acquisition, EA will become a private company. Its shares will no longer be publicly traded on the stock market, and the company will no longer be required to release quarterly financial results. Experts say this could give EA greater freedom to focus on long-term growth rather than short-term financial targets.
Jared Kushner, founder of Affinity Partners, praised EA’s contribution to the gaming industry, saying the company had created stories, characters, and communities that had become part of the lives of millions of people. He said the new ownership would focus on bringing EA to more players and creating opportunities for the next generation of game developers.
Saudi Arabia has been increasing its investments in gaming, esports, sports, media, and entertainment in recent years. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has also shown a particular interest in video games, with the kingdom making the gaming industry part of its broader strategy to diversify its economy.
EA was founded in 1982 by William “Trip” Hawkins, a former Apple employee, while Andrew Wilson has served as the company’s chief executive officer since 2013. The company’s annual revenue has remained between approximately $7.4 billion and $7.6 billion in recent years, although the pace of financial growth has slowed somewhat.
Competition in the gaming market has also intensified. With the rapid expansion of mobile gaming, companies such as Epic Games have strengthened their positions in the industry. In 2023, Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard for approximately $69 billion.
The new ownership could provide EA with additional financial resources and greater flexibility to invest in future games, technology, and new business opportunities. Although players are unlikely to notice immediate changes, the $55 billion deal could have a significant impact on EA’s long-term strategy.
