EA has gone private as Saudi Arabia and Jared Kushner's groups complete $55B acquisition
Three investment entities — Public Investment Fund from Saudi Arabia, equity firm Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, linked to Jared Kushner — have completed the acquisition of Electronic Arts. The deal is valued at $55 billion. Official confirmation followed EA's filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and approval from the European Commission.
Jared Kushner, son-in-law of current US President Donald Trump, commented on the acquisition in a press release: "EA has created stories, characters, and communities that have become part of everyday life for hundreds of millions of people. We're excited to support the company as it continues to reach new audiences, inspire the next generation of creators, and expand the ways people around the world connect through play."
The deal, announced last autumn, means that EA is now a private company. Its future will no longer be dictated by shareholder interests but by the decisions of the three investment groups.
The announcement sparked concern among EA's unionized workforce, particularly regarding potential layoffs and studio closures. The United Videogame Workers CWA expressed worry that job losses could be a choice made to pad investors' pockets rather than a necessity. Specific concerns were raised about studios deemed "less profitable".
LGBTQIA+ players also voiced concerns, given the popularity of EA's titles like The Sims, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age within queer communities. In response, the The Sims team shared a statement, and a developer speaking at Develop confirmed there are no plans to reduce diversity in the game: "I haven't heard anything coming down the pipe. I don't think it's gonna happen and I would fight it tooth and nail."
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