Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
MMO Business Roundup: EA’s buyout date, Roblox’s Q2 earnings, and PlayStation’s discs will (still) die
Electronic Arts' buyout by the Saudi Public Investment Fund is set for August 4th, pending final conditions, with the PIF set to own 93% of the company. Sony confirmed it will proceed with ending physical disc production for the PlayStation 5, despite industry pushback. Roblox Corporation reported a 36% year-over-year revenue increase to $1.5 billion in Q2 2026, though user migration to lower-monetizing games impacted profits.
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.
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.
GDQ cancels SNK-sponsored stream & refuses funds due to Saudi Arabia PIF ownership
Games Done Quick (GDQ) canceled a sponsored stream with SNK and refused funds due to SNK's majority ownership by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF). The decision came after community backlash citing human rights concerns related to the Saudi government. GDQ apologized and promised to be more mindful of partners' values in the future, though the controversy occurred during the successful Summer Games Done Quick 2026 event which raised $2.4 million for Doctors Without Borders.
GDQ Cancels SNK Stream Over Saudi Arabia Ties
Games Done Quick (GDQ) canceled a sponsored Metal Slug speedrun stream featuring SNK due to community backlash over SNK's majority ownership by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and associated human rights concerns. GDQ apologized to the affected parties and pledged to strengthen its sponsor evaluation process.
EA reportedly lays off customer service, recruitment & safety staff ahead of $55 billion Saudi sale
Electronic Arts has reportedly conducted layoffs affecting customer service, recruitment, trust and safety, and IT teams in remote roles and its Hyderabad, India office. These cuts are occurring as EA nears its planned $55 billion sale to the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. The company cited a need to adapt to changing fan needs as the reason for the proposed role changes.
EA Layoffs Hit Customer Support, Recruitment, and More in US and India – Rumor
Electronic 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.
Report: EA conducts layoffs in Hyderabad, India and the US
Electronic Arts has conducted another round of layoffs affecting remote workers in the US and employees at its Hyderabad, India office. The affected roles are primarily in trust and safety, IT, customer support, and recruitment departments. This marks the third round of layoffs at EA this year, following reductions at its Battlefield division and the Skate developer Full Circle.
EA Has Started Informing Staff of Layoffs, Will Affect Multiple Divisions – Rumor
Electronic Arts has reportedly begun informing staff of layoffs across multiple divisions, though the initial round may be small. This news comes amid wider industry trends of job cuts, with Microsoft also expected to implement significant layoffs, particularly affecting studios not directly tied to major franchises like Fallout and The Elder Scrolls. Developers at BioWare had already expressed concerns following EA's acquisition by an investor consortium.
AI Won't Allow 16-Year-Old In A Garage To Make Battlefield 7 Or GTA 7, EA CEO Says
Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson believes that while AI will automate simple quality assurance tasks, it will not enable small, independent developers to create AAA titles like Battlefield or Grand Theft Auto anytime soon. He also stated that AI advancements will lead to short-term job losses but long-term net gains in employment within the industry.
Gaming Influencer Drops Truth Bomb on Community's Arab Attitudes | HappyGamer
Gaming influencer NEACE has criticized the gaming community for perceived Islamophobia and discrimination against Arab countries, suggesting it could deter significant esports investment from Saudi Arabia. He argues that the community exhibits selective outrage, embracing investment from some nations while shunning others, and that this could negatively impact the growth of esports and opportunities for players and creators.
Lucid Motors recalls over 4,000 Gravity SUVs over seat belt defect
Lucid Motors is recalling over 4,000 Gravity SUVs due to a defect in the second-row seat belt anchors, which may not function properly in a collision. The company attributes the issue to a seat supplier's unapproved manufacturing process change. Lucid will inspect and repair affected vehicles, and no injuries have been reported related to this defect.
Disney Should Buy Fortnite And Epic Games, Former Exec Says
A former Disney executive suggests that CEO Josh D'Amaro should consider acquiring a gaming company like Epic Games to drive growth. While Disney has invested in Epic's Fortnite project, a full buyout is seen as a potential bold step. Executives reportedly are interested in acquiring Epic, though founder Tim Sweeney retains control, and past acquisition talks with Electronic Arts did not materialize.
Saudi Arabia firm EGDC now owns 5% stake in Capcom
Saudi Arabia-based Electronic Gaming Development Company (EGDC) has acquired a 5.03% stake in Capcom, amounting to 26,788,500 shares, for pure investment purposes. This follows previous investments by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) in Capcom and other major gaming companies like Electronic Arts and Take-Two Interactive.
Saudi Arabia Fund Acquires Another Slice of Resident Evil Requiem Publisher Capcom, Upping Country's Ownership to 10% - IGN
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and its subsidiary, the Electronic Gaming Development Company (EGDC), have increased their ownership stake in Capcom to approximately 10%. This move is described as a pure investment, with Capcom's Resident Evil 4 being highlighted as its fastest-selling installment.
Battlefield 6 developers hit with layoffs as game's popularity starts to decline
Despite 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.
