What Saudi Arabia's Role in the Electronic Arts Buyout Tells Us About Image, Power and 'Game-Washing'

What Saudi Arabia's role in the Electronic Arts buyout tells us about image, power and 'game-washing'

Video game publisher Electronic Arts (EA), one of the biggest video game companies in the world behind games such as The Sims and Battlefield, has been sold to a consortium of buyers for US$55 billion (about A$83 billion). It is potentially the largest-ever buyout funded by private equity firms. Not AI, nor mining or banking, but video games.

Videogame publisher EA's $55 billion buyout turns spotlight on gaming IP diversification

Electronic Arts' record $55 billion leveraged buyout by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund and two other firms marks a turning point in the videogame industry, as companies look to capitalize on intellectual property through media crossovers.Despite being the largest entertainment industry in the world, the

Electronic Arts: There Will Be No Layoffs... Yet! - theGeek.games

The new owners promise that they will not start by cutting staff, but how many times have we seen this promise broken in recent years?   Following Insider Gaming’s report that BioWare employees are concerned about expected layoffs due to Electronic Arts’ $55 billion acquisition, the company published an FAQ on its website. According to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the FAQ indicates that there is no cause for concern, at least…

Amid EA's unpopular $55 billion buyout, Baldur's Gate 3 director takes time "to remind people that making games faster and cheaper while charging more has never worked before"

Larian Studios' lead has a point

EA's $55 billion acquisition is the biggest leveraged buyout in private equity history. Here's why it has everyone terrified

Private equity and PIF investment aren't a reassuring pair.

EA’s $55B Saudi Buyout Fuels Layoff Fears, BioWare Closure Risks

In the wake of Electronic Arts Inc.’s staggering $55 billion leveraged buyout by a consortium including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, private equity firm Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, anxiety is rippling through the video game industry. The deal, which saddles EA with $20 billion in debt financed by JPMorgan Chase & Co., has sparked fears of aggressive cost-cutting measures, including layoffs and studio closures. A…