EA Games Sold for $55 Billion to Consortium Led by Saudi Arabia PIF

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Electronic Arts, commonly known as EA, has announced it will be acquired for a substantial $55 billion in a private deal. The acquisition is being led by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), along with Silver Lake and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners. After the deal is finalized, EA will cease to be a company listed on the stock market-and this move is already being recognized as one of the largest private equity buyouts ever.

This agreement sets the price of EA at $210 per share and is projected to be finalized in the first quarter of 2027, assuming it receives the necessary regulatory approvals. EA CEO Andrew Wilson is anticipated to continue leading the company, and the company will maintain its headquarters in Redwood City, California. However, the financial aspects represent only part of the overall picture. It’s important to consider the bigger implications. This is a significant development.

A Clash of Cultures

For a long time, EA has strongly emphasized DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in both its games and how it presents itself to the public. This has included adding potentially divisive character choices and incorporating progressive social themes into popular game series, often placing the company at the center of debates about culture within the gaming industry.

Currently, the company is being acquired by a government investment fund connected to a nation where same-sex relationships and differing gender identities are illegal. In Saudi Arabia, engaging in same-sex relations can result in imprisonment, public whipping, and, in some cases, even the death penalty according to strict interpretations of Islamic law. The principles EA actively promoted in Western countries would be against the law in the home country of its new owners.

That’s not just ironic — it’s a direct contradiction.

Will EA Walk Back Its DEI Push?

A lot of fans are wondering: what’s next for EA now that it’s been acquired by the Saudi Arabia PIF and its investment groups? Specifically, will EA keep featuring diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) themes in its games, considering its main owner comes from a country where those values aren’t generally accepted? Learn more about DEI here.

Are we likely to see changes to future games – perhaps censorship or alterations – to please new investors? And will the company stop supporting public campaigns it used to champion, campaigns that generally reflected Western progressive values? These are important questions.

These aren’t just theoretical worries. Large, international businesses commonly modify content to fit the needs of different countries. However, here, the control happens at who owns the content, rather than simply how it’s shared in various regions.

Hypocrisy on Display

This sale highlights the contradiction in how gaming companies present themselves. EA has consistently asked both players and staff to support DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion). However, when presented with a $55 billion offer, the company readily agreed to be bought by investors from a country whose legal system directly conflicts with the values EA has been promoting.

This is a classic example of hypocrisy – telling people to act one way while behaving differently. When it comes to maximizing shareholder value, corporate statements about diversity and inclusion are often ignored.

What It Means for Gamers

Players might not notice changes right away. EA is still working on big games like FIFA, Madden, Battlefield, and The Sims. However, being privately owned could significantly affect how creatively free they are and where they take those games in the future. This could lead to avoiding controversial subjects, taking fewer risks with storylines, or simply staying away from potentially sensitive social issues – and players will likely feel the effects of these changes over time.

Players who are frustrated with Electronic Arts’ focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion might consider this a positive change. However, others will see it as a risky move that weakens support for underrepresented groups.

Regardless of how you look at it, EA has been acquired by a group backed by Saudi Arabia at a time of major differences in values within the gaming world.

Final Thoughts

The sale of EA to a group led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) is a massively significant business deal. However, it’s also a major cultural shift. The company that previously advised Western audiences on the importance of inclusion now belongs to a financial entity from a nation where such practices are prohibited. This represents a stark contrast and raises important questions.

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2025-09-29 19:57