Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts business and news from across the web.
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Dragon Age veteran says a series comeback would be difficult with EA's "frightening" graveyard of dormant IP: "I suspect that it wouldn't happen"
Former BioWare veteran Mark Darrah believes a comeback for the Dragon Age series would be difficult due to Electronic Arts' management of dormant intellectual properties. He suggests that EA's focus on financial performance over game development, coupled with internal challenges at BioWare and potential ownership changes, makes it unlikely for a new Dragon Age game to be pitched and approved.
UK software sales chart for the week ending July 25, 2026 – Splatoon Raiders immediately hits #1
Splatoon Raiders debuted at number one on the UK software sales chart for the week ending July 25, 2026. Several other Nintendo titles, including Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream and Pokemon Pokopia, also charted well. The list features a wide range of games from various publishers.
MMO Week in Review: FFXIV in Berlin, Black Desert in SoCal, and Jimothy saturation
This week's MMO news covers Final Fantasy XIV's Fan Festival in Berlin, Black Desert's Heidel Ball, and the early access launch of SEED. Updates were also provided for Dungeons & Dragons Online, Aion 2, and The Guild reunion movie. Several games saw controversy including World of Warcraft staff cheating, Elder Scrolls Online capacity issues, and Microsoft layoffs.
28 years later, Final Fantasy 8's wonderfully awkward E3 reveal has hit the internet – please enjoy Square and EA execs desperately trying to stall for Squall for 7 minutes straight
A recently unearthed video from E3 1998 reveals the awkward US debut of Final Fantasy VIII, featuring Square and Electronic Arts executives struggling for seven minutes to get the game's trailer to play. The footage, preserved by the Video Game History Foundation, also highlights the formation of the Square Electronic Arts joint venture intended to boost game releases in North America. The article contrasts the venture's initial promise of job creation with later industry trends of layoffs and studio closures.
FC 27 The Grounds: Open-World Details, Districts & Features
Electronic Arts is introducing "The Grounds," an open-world social hub for FC 27, marking the franchise's first foray into this game design. This mode will replace traditional menus, allowing players to explore three distinct districts, interact with mentors like Kylian Mbappé and Alex Hunter, purchase licensed apparel, and participate in mini-games and street matches. The Grounds will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, excluding last-gen consoles.
There's only one Jedi Operator in Star Wars Zero Company, and reckless players may end up with none at all: 'Be careful that nothing unfortunate happens to her!'
Bit Reactor's upcoming tactics game, Star Wars Zero Company, will feature only one Jedi Operator, Tel-Rea, and permadeath mechanics mean players could lose her permanently. Lead designer James Brawley confirmed Tel-Rea is the sole Jedi Padawan class, emphasizing the need for players to protect her. While permadeath can be toggled off on easier difficulties, the game's narrative characters are vulnerable once introduced.
EA Sports FC 27 arrives September 25 — and the flagship edition runs €159.99
Electronic Arts has officially announced that EA Sports FC 27 will be released on September 25 for consoles and PC. The flagship Ultimate Plus Edition will cost €159.99 on consoles and €149.99 on PC, with the base game priced at €79.99 for consoles and €69.99 for PC. Pre-orders for all editions are now open, granting early access a week before the official launch.
Saudi Arabia's takeover of EA gets approval from European Commission
The European Commission has approved Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund's proposed $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts, stating it will not raise competition concerns within the EU. While this hurdle is cleared, the deal still faces scrutiny from US lawmakers and developers concerned about the takeover's implications.
MMO Business Roundup: GTA 6’s union meeting, EA’s Saudi sale, and Steam’s wishlist updates
Rockstar Games' union reported a positive first meeting with management regarding negotiations for worker protections like no crunch and pay transparency. Separately, the European Union Commission cleared Electronic Arts' $55 billion sale to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, making the deal more likely to finalize. Steam has also updated its wishlist functionality to include categories and improved search.
Issues and Activism
Blizzard Entertainment fired a developer involved in a World of Warcraft cheating scandal, while fans expressed anger over Electronic Arts' announcement of a $150 version of FC 27. These incidents highlight ongoing issues with game integrity and monetization practices within the industry.
Overwatch, Path of Exile, and the In-Game Economy: What Virtual Currency Systems Reveal About Real Money Design
This analysis explores how virtual currency systems in games like Overwatch 2 and Path of Exile are designed to psychologically influence players and abstract real-world spending. It contrasts Blizzard's stable but awkward dual-currency model with Grinding Gear Games' player-driven orb economy, highlighting how these designs reduce the 'pain of paying' and encourage continued engagement. The article also touches on the migration of these principles to other digital sectors and offers advice for players on budgeting for in-game purchases.
EA Sports FC 27 Has A New $150 Edition, Because Ultimate Wasn’t Ultimate Enough
Electronic Arts is introducing a new $150 "Ultimate Plus" edition for EA Sports FC 27, adding to its existing standard and Ultimate editions. This premium version includes significant DLC, early access, and in-game currency, sparking criticism regarding the game's pricing and microtransaction model, which has previously drawn backlash in other EA titles like EA Sports College Football.
Saudi-led EA buyout receives EU approval, Xbox trials ad-supported game streaming, and Poinpy is eternal - Patch Notes #62
The European Commission has approved the Saudi-led buyout of Electronic Arts, while Xbox is trialing ad-supported game streaming for select titles. Separately, the mobile platformer Poinpy has returned, and news emerges about a revived Kinect game, scrapped Pokémon designs, and legal disputes involving Nintendo and Bethesda employees.
Xbox rolls out ad-supported game streaming test for its insider programs, as hardware supply and affordability crisis rages on
Microsoft's Xbox is testing an ad-supported game streaming service for its Insider program, allowing users to play select games for free for one hour with ads before sessions. This initiative aims to improve game accessibility for players with less powerful or unavailable hardware, especially amidst ongoing hardware supply and affordability issues exacerbated by the generative AI boom. The company emphasizes that this is an optional feature designed to lower access costs and expand player bases, though the implementation of external advertising at the start of gameplay sessions is a notable departure from traditional in-game ads.
EU Commission approves $55bn EA buyout, says it "would not raise competition concerns"
The European Commission has approved the $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, stating it would not raise competition concerns. The deal, which includes Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, was reviewed under the EU Merger Regulation and found to have a limited impact on the markets where the companies are active. This approval follows concerns raised by US lawmakers and labor unions regarding potential labor market impacts and foreign investment.
EA SPORTS FC 27 Announced
Electronic Arts has announced EA SPORTS FC 27, the next installment in their soccer simulation series. The game is scheduled for release on PC and consoles on September 24th, with preorders now available for three editions.
Games Inbox: Is the EA Sports FC 27 Ultimate Plus Edition worth it?
Readers express frustration over the increasing cost of special editions for games like EA Sports FC 27 and NBA 2K27, criticizing the industry's perceived disregard for customers. Concerns are also raised about technical issues in Halo: Campaign Evolved and the future of Xbox, while a new Resident Evil movie trailer is praised for its faithfulness to the game's tone.
EA Sports FC 27 is Out on September 25, First Gameplay Trailer Revealed
EA Sports FC 27 will be released on September 25th, with Kylian Mbappé featured on the Ultimate Edition cover. The game introduces new features like The Grounds social hub, an updated Career Mode Transfer Market, and improvements to Ultimate Team and gameplay mechanics. It will be available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
EU Clears Saudi-Led $55 Billion EA Buyout, But The Deal Isn’t Done Yet
The European Union has approved the $55 billion takeover of Electronic Arts by Saudi-backed Savvy Games Group. However, the deal is not yet finalized, and concerns remain regarding market control and human rights issues associated with the acquisition.
Regulators clear the path: Saudi Arabia’s $55B takeover of EA loses its final barrier
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has received approval from the European Commission for its $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts, removing a major regulatory hurdle. The deal, which is the second-largest in video game history, has been cleared without competition concerns. This move is part of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to diversify its economy and increase its presence in the global gaming market.
