EA sold 55 billion dollars to Saudi Arabia and private funds: the end of an independent publisher

Electronic Arts is reportedly weeks away from finalizing its sale to Saudi Arabia and private equity funds for approximately $55 billion. This massive acquisition is reshaping the video game industry landscape.

The Deal

Electronic Arts was acquired for approximately $55 billion in a leveraged buyout (LBO) involving three buyers: Saudi Arabia, private equity firm Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners—the investment firm founded by Jared Kushner. According to Rock Paper Shotgun (article dated July 31, 2026), the transaction, which had already received approval from the European Commission, was expected to close in early August 2026.

EA is now a private company.

What This Means for Players

EA is one of the industry’s historic publishers: FIFA/EA Sports FC, The Sims, Battlefield, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Apex Legends, Star Wars Jedi. These franchises now fall under the control of new owners whose priorities and philosophy could diverge significantly from those of a publicly traded American company.

The questions burning on the gaming community’s lips:

• What impact will this have on microtransaction and live-service policies?
• Will creative franchises (Mass Effect, Dragon Age) be maintained or sacrificed?
• Will exiting the stock market change the short-term pressure on quarterly results?

The Geopolitical Angle

Saudi investment in gaming is not new: the Public Investment Fund (PIF) already holds stakes in Nintendo, Activision, Capcom, and Nexon. Silver Lake is one of the largest U.S. PE funds (tech-focused). Affinity Partners, founded by Kushner, adds a significant political dimension to the deal.

Our Take

We view this transaction with concern. EA may be the publisher we love to hate for its microtransaction abuses—but it’s also the heir to legendary studios (BioWare, DICE, Maxis) whose fate deserves attention. Going private could free EA from quarterly pressure—or accelerate short-term profitability demands based on the new owners’ requirements.

8/10 on the “structural change that will impact your next years of gaming” scale. For whom: all EA players, and beyond—anyone interested in the future of the industry.