Affinity Partners
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EA hit with third round of layoffs this yearElectronic Arts has conducted its third round of layoffs this year, impacting recruitment, customer support, trust and safety, and IT teams. This follows previous staff reductions affecting developers on "Skate" and "Battlefield 6," and comes after EA's acquisition by an investor consortium last September. The company has also shed staff and studios over multiple years, including layoffs at "Apex Legends," Codemasters, BioWare, and the closure of Cliffhanger Games.
EA Layoffs Hit Customer Support, Recruitment, and More in US and India – RumorElectronic Arts has reportedly conducted layoffs affecting customer support, recruitment, IT, and trust and safety teams across its US and India offices. These reductions are said to be part of an effort to adapt to changing fan needs and potentially in preparation for investments from entities like Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake Partners, and Affinity Partners. Some reports suggest even employees from the high-earning Battlefield 6 team may have been impacted.
EA is reportedly laying off recruitment, customer support, safety, and IT staffElectronic Arts is reportedly conducting another round of layoffs, primarily affecting recruitment, customer support, trust and safety, and IT teams. This follows a previous clarification in October that there would be no immediate workforce changes after EA entered into an acquisition agreement with a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. The company has also recently made redundancies at studios working on Battlefield and the Skate game.
Why the $55bn acquisition of Electronic Arts isn't your usual leveraged buyoutA consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is acquiring Electronic Arts for $55 billion in a record-breaking leveraged buyout. The deal, financed with over $20 billion in debt, raises concerns about future investment in EA's games and its ability to service the debt. Experts suggest the acquisition is a strategic move by Saudi Arabia to gain soft power and bolster its esports initiatives, rather than a typical financial play.- Cosplayers plan to storm EA headquarters today to protest Saudi Arabia buyoutCosplayers are planning to protest at Electronic Arts headquarters against a proposed $55 billion buyout by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners. The protest aims to deliver a 70,000-signature petition and raise concerns about potential staff layoffs, increased monetization, and studio closures.
Cosplaying Gamers Will Raid EA HQ To Protest Saudi Arabia's $55 Billion BuyoutGamers are planning a cosplay protest at Electronic Arts' headquarters on May 11 to oppose Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund's proposed $55 billion buyout. The Players Alliance HQ group aims to deliver over 70,000 petition signatures and raise awareness about potential negative consequences like layoffs and increased monetization due to the debt burden on EA.
CWA Canada president says Saudi buyout of EA should trigger 'virtually every alarm bell'CWA Canada president Carmel Smyth has urged the Canadian government to scrutinize the proposed $55 billion buyout of Electronic Arts by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund due to national security risks. Concerns include potential data misuse, surveillance, and the transfer of sensitive AI technology to a foreign state. The union also highlighted potential job losses for Canadian EA workers due to the deal's financing structure.
Saudi Arabia’s EGDC Raises Ownership Stake in Capcom, Now Owns 6.04 PercentSaudi Arabia's Electronic Gaming Development Company (EGDC) has increased its ownership stake in Capcom to 6.04 percent, acquiring an additional 1.01 percent. The EGDC, owned by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also holds a majority stake in SNK and is involved in the proposed acquisition of Electronic Arts by the Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners.
Battlefield 6 developers hit with layoffs as game's popularity starts to declineDespite strong initial sales and positive reviews, Electronic Arts has laid off employees across multiple studios working on Battlefield 6 due to declining player counts and mixed player reviews. The reasons for the layoffs are officially cited as a 'realignment,' though potential investor acquisition and financial pressures are also discussed as contributing factors.
EA Lays Off Staff Across All Battlefield Studios Following Record-Breaking Battlefield 6 Launch - IGNElectronic Arts has laid off an unknown number of employees across its Battlefield studios, including Criterion, Dice, Ripple Effect, and Motive Studios, as part of a "realignment." This follows the record-breaking launch of Battlefield 6 in 2025, which has since faced criticism for its live service support, monetization, and declining player counts. The company states these layoffs are unrelated to its pending acquisition by an investor group.
US government reportedly debating whether to force Tencent to give up its US-based game holdingsThe US government is reportedly considering forcing Tencent to divest its stakes in US and Finnish game companies due to national security concerns. Tencent holds significant shares in numerous major developers, raising fears of potential access to personal data of US citizens. This debate has been ongoing since 2020, with a recent meeting on the matter postponed.
The Sims 4 Will Open an Official Marketplace to Let Content Creators Sell Mods for a Share of 'Moola' - IGNMaxis is launching an official "Maker" program and Marketplace for The Sims 4 on March 17, 2026, allowing approved content creators to sell custom "Maker Packs" using a virtual currency called "Moola." Creators will receive approximately 30% of the purchase price, and these packs must be exclusive to the Marketplace. The program will initially launch on PC and Mac, with console versions for PlayStation and Xbox to follow later.
Electronic Arts Sold in $55 Billion Deal to PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners - New Game NetworkElectronic Arts (EA) has confirmed a $55 billion all-cash acquisition by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. The deal, expected to close in early fiscal year 2027, will take EA private, with shareholders receiving $210 per share. Andrew Wilson will continue as Chairman and CEO, with the investors planning significant expansion and innovation for the publisher.