Electronic Arts, the video game publisher behind franchises including The Sims and EA FC, has been acquired by Saudi Arabia's wealth fund alongside a group of investors for $55 billion. The deal was completed on Tuesday evening, shortly after the European Union provided final regulatory approval. The transaction takes the company into private ownership, ending its 36-year history as a publicly traded company.
The acquisition involves Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund working alongside Affinity Partners, a private equity firm run by Jared Kushner, Donald Trump's son-in-law, and Silver Lake Partners. Kushner commented on the purchase, stating "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."
This represents one of the largest buyouts on record. Electronic Arts is best known for its blockbuster sports games, particularly EA Sports FC, which was previously branded as FIFA. The company's portfolio also includes Madden NFL, Battlefield military shooters, and The Sims life simulation series.
Founded in 1982 by former Apple employee William "Trip" Hawkins, EA has been led by chief executive Andrew Wilson since 2013. The Saudi royal family has shown increasing interest in the gaming and esports sectors in recent years, alongside investments in sports, media, and entertainment. Saudi Arabia's crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has a reputation as an avid gamer himself.
The acquisition comes as EA's growth has slowed. The company's annual revenues have stagnated in recent years, hovering between $7.4 billion and $7.6 billion. The gaming sector has become increasingly competitive, with mobile game makers like Epic Games gaining ground. Microsoft's 2023 acquisition of Activision Blizzard for almost $69 billion demonstrated the scale of consolidation in the industry.
Going private removes certain pressures that public companies face. As a private entity, EA will no longer be required to report its financial results each quarter, eliminating some scrutiny over meeting quarterly targets. However, privatizations sometimes lead to job cuts and cost reductions as new owners restructure operations.
EA has already undergone workforce changes in recent years. The company laid off approximately 5 percent of its workforce in 2024 and cut several hundred jobs in May 2025, though it maintained around 14,500 employees in March 2025. The company reported lower-than-expected revenues in its most recent quarter, which the company attributed to declining player engagement with its latest Battlefield release. There has been no indication from the new ownership that further significant job cuts are planned.