Battlefield
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EA and games like The Sims, Dragon Age, and Battlefield are now officially owned by Saudi Arabia and private equity as…
Electronic Arts has officially been acquired by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners for $55 billion, making it a private company. CEO Andrew Wilson stated the move will allow for bold investment and innovation. Concerns have been raised regarding potential censorship of IPs like The Sims and Dragon Age, as well as national security risks due to foreign ownership.
EA is now owned by Saudi Arabia and Donald Trump's son-in-law
Electronic Arts (EA) has been taken private in a $55 billion transaction led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). Other investors include Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, founded by Jared Kushner. The deal, which faced some scrutiny over geopolitical and employment concerns, was finalized on August 4, 2026, with EA asserting it will retain creative control and avoid immediate layoffs.
Saudi Arabia's $55 billion takeover of EA could waste "one of the best catalogues in the industry" by reducing it to a "sequel-and-mega-franchise machine," Helldivers 2 boss worries
Electronic Arts has officially been acquired by a group of investors led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund for $55 billion. Shams Jorjani, CEO of Arrowhead Game Studios, expressed concern that this consolidation could lead EA to focus solely on sequels and mega-franchises, potentially wasting its diverse catalogue of games and reducing creative diversity within the industry.
Saudi Arabia's $55 billion takeover of Electronic Arts will happen next week
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is set to complete its $55 billion takeover of Electronic Arts next week, with all regulatory approvals secured. This acquisition, which will take EA private, has raised concerns among content creators and former employees regarding potential shifts in game content and the company's values. The deal, the largest leveraged buyout in history, will saddle EA with significant debt, potentially leading to cost-cutting measures focused on its most profitable franchises like Battlefield and EA Sports FC.
Evening Reading - July 27, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various gaming news and internet curiosities. Topics include the Flood in Halo, Nintendo Switch Sports, Street Fighter 6, Battlefield maps, Ubisoft game ownership on PC, Marvel Snap, God of War Laufey, Marvel Tokon, and Xbox's ad-supported cloud streaming. The article also touches on puzzles, developer design choices, and the impact of AI.
Weekend Discussion - July 26, 2026
This Weekend Discussion article from Shacknews covers various topics including potential remakes of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, a desire for more original Xbox titles, and the introduction of new handheld gaming devices. It also features discussions on Halo maps, music, and updates on games like Nintendo Switch Sports Resort and Street Fighter 6.
Shack Chat: What's your favorite Battlefield map?
Shacknews staff members discuss their favorite maps across the Battlefield franchise, highlighting specific locations from titles like Battlefield 4, Bad Company 2, and Battlefield 3. The discussion includes personal anecdotes and reasons for their map preferences, with a new map from Battlefield 6 also being mentioned.
European Commission says EA's controversial $55 billion buyout "would not raise competition concerns" and…
The European Commission has approved the proposed $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts by a group of investors led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. The commission concluded that the buyout would not raise significant competition concerns, given its limited impact on the markets where the companies are active. This approval moves the deal, which would see PIF own 93.7% of EA, one step closer to completion.
EA Sale To Saudi Arabia Clears A Major Hurdle
Electronic Arts' proposed sale to an investor consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has received approval from the European Commission, clearing a significant hurdle. While the $55 billion deal is structured as a leveraged buyout, potential cost-cutting measures like layoffs and studio closures at EA and its subsidiaries, such as BioWare, are a concern for employees.
"Never say never": Criterion aren't ruling out a return to Need For Speed, but Battlefield is their only focus for now
Criterion Games, known for the Burnout and Need For Speed series, is now exclusively focused on supporting the Battlefield franchise as part of Electronic Arts' new strategy. Studio representatives Danny Isaac and Amy Pejic stated that while their current focus is Battlefield, they are not ruling out future projects outside of the series, emphasizing that creative freedom can exist within the vast Battlefield platform. They also confirmed that the Burnout series is unlikely to return, but the future of Need For Speed remains open.
Sorry, You’re (Probably) Never Going To Get Another Need For Speed Game
Rebecka Coutaz, general manager of Battlefield Studios Europe, has stated that Criterion Games is now solely focused on the Battlefield franchise, effectively ending the development of new Need for Speed and Burnout titles. Criterion, which previously developed several Need for Speed and Burnout games, will leverage its expertise in creating intense player experiences for Battlefield. This shift means fans are unlikely to see new installments in the beloved racing series anytime soon.
Games Inbox: What will be the next Nintendo remake after Zelda: Ocarina Of Time?
Readers discuss potential future Nintendo remakes following the success of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced and the anticipated Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake. There is also speculation about FromSoftware's next project and a desire for id Software to perfect its modern Doom titles. The discussion also touches on the shift to digital distribution and the future of physical media.
EA seems to have killed off the Need for Speed franchise
Electronic Arts appears to have discontinued the Need for Speed franchise. Criterion Games, the long-time developer of the series, has been reassigned to support the Battlefield franchise, indicating the end of new Need for Speed titles.
Finally complete after 11 years, Angels Fall First delivers massive FPS space battles with old-school Battlefront vibes, at a must-have price
After more than a decade in development, Strangely Interactive has released Angels Fall First 1.0, an ambitious FPS that blends large-scale space battles with ground combat. The game, which was in early access since 2015, offers 64-player matches featuring infantry, vehicles, and capital ships with fully explorable interiors. It is available at a discounted introductory price.
The Sunday Papers
Criterion Games, known for racing titles like Burnout and Need For Speed, is now solely focused on developing for the Battlefield series, as confirmed by studio leadership. Meanwhile, an analysis of Xbox's recent restructuring highlights the company's significant layoffs and the challenges faced by the division, drawing parallels to past industry missteps.
As Criterion rebrands on its 30th anniversary, are its beloved racing franchises like Burnout falling away in the rearview mirror?
Criterion is rebranding on its 30th anniversary, emphasizing its current role as a "Battlefield Studio" within Electronic Arts. While the studio's legacy includes beloved racing titles like Burnout Paradise, its primary focus is now on supporting the Battlefield franchise, including recent work on Battlefield 6. Despite industry challenges and past layoffs, Criterion aims to maintain its core values of "Dare, Deliver, and Delight," with discussions ongoing about the potential for future racing game development.
Criterion’s Future Is Battlefield, but Don’t Forget the Burnout Heritage Within Its Walls
Criterion, the studio behind the Burnout series, has been officially designated as a 'Battlefield Studio'. Despite this shift, the article emphasizes the studio's significant 30-year legacy in developing acclaimed racing games.
Battlefield 6 reveals more information on recoil, damage changes ahead of latest patch
Battlefield Studios is implementing significant gunplay adjustments in Update 1.3.3.0, focusing on recoil consistency, limb damage reduction, and sniper sweet spot ranges. These changes aim to make gunplay more predictable and rewarding, with specific adjustments to weapon handling and damage multipliers.
Melgeek's $140 competitive keyboard is solidly built, but with too many downsides for my liking
The Melgeek Real 81 is a competitively priced mechanical keyboard with strong build quality and features like 8,000 Hz polling rate and rapid trigger switches. However, its keys are difficult to read in the dark, and the typing feel is stiff and inconsistent, making it less ideal for everyday use or extensive typing sessions.
EA Announces EA Advertising Aimed At “Transforming How Brands Connect With Audiences”
Electronic Arts has announced EA Advertising, a new program designed to integrate dynamic, real-time advertisements into its popular video games. The initiative aims to create strategic partnerships with brands like VISA, Red Bull, and Mountain Dew, utilizing enhanced targeting and measurement features to evaluate ad performance within titles such as College Football and the UFC franchise.
