Mergers and Acquisitions
Ongoing coverage on Mergers and Acquisitions.
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EA have gone private, as Saudi Arabia and Jared Kushner's investment groups complete their $55 billion acquisition
Electronic Arts (EA), publisher of franchises like EA Sports FC, Battlefield, The Sims, Mass Effect, and Dragon Age, has been acquired by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, equity firm Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners for $55 billion, making it a private company. The deal has raised concerns among unionized workers regarding potential layoffs and among LGBTQIA+ players about the future of diversity in EA's games, though some developers have expressed commitment to maintaining inclusivity.
The deal is done: Electronic Arts is now officially owned by Saudi Arabia
Electronic Arts has been officially acquired by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, along with Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. The deal, valued at a significant sum, gives Saudi Arabia a 93.4% ownership stake. Concerns have been raised regarding the company's future support for inclusive games given Saudi Arabia's human rights record, while EA leadership emphasizes continued innovation and investment, including in AI.
Business and Finance
Electronic Arts has announced the completion of its acquisition by a consortium including the Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. Separately, a judge has set a March date for an antitrust trial involving Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery.
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 Has Officially Been Sold, And What Comes Next Could Be Painful
Electronic Arts has been acquired by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund in a $55 billion leveraged buyout, making it the largest LBO in history. The deal has raised concerns about potential layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations due to the significant debt involved. EA CEO Andrew Wilson will remain in his position, but the company's future financial operations will be less transparent as it moves from public to private 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.
Live service revenue dominates in EA's last fiscal report ahead of Saudi merger
Electronic Arts reported a 19 percent increase in net revenue to $1.98 billion for its last fiscal quarter as a public company, largely driven by its live service games like EA Sports FC and Apex Legends. This financial report precedes EA's $55 billion merger with an investor consortium including the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, expected to close on August 4, 2026. Despite strong financial performance, the company has continued to implement layoffs.
Atari's core business returns to profit, but consolidated group posts $5.5m net loss as Thunderful drags on results
Atari's core business achieved operational profitability for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, with revenue reaching a decade high of $65 million. However, the consolidated group, including the recently acquired Thunderful, posted a net loss of $5.5 million due to Thunderful's significant operating loss. The company's Games and Hardware segments saw substantial growth, and Atari also acquired IP rights to several Ubisoft titles and expanded its stake in Thunderful.
Business and Finance
Razer has acquired StreamElements, a company that provides tools for live streaming and content creation. This acquisition is part of Razer's ongoing strategy to expand its ecosystem and support for content creators.
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.
EA clears US regulatory approvals in take-private deal
Electronic Arts' major take-private deal, involving a consortium led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, has received all necessary regulatory approvals in the US and Europe. The approximately $55 billion deal is expected to close on August 4, 2026, despite concerns raised about Saudi Arabia's control and potential cultural implications.
Business and Finance
Amazon will issue refunds to shoppers as part of a tariff settlement, while CORSAIR has announced a deepening of its strategic relationships. The article also mentions evidence submitted by Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to Lisa Nandy regarding a merger.
Xbox is (probably) not for sale | Opinion
Despite recent financial struggles and layoffs, Microsoft is unlikely to sell or spin off its Xbox division. The article argues that the financial impact of Xbox on Microsoft's overall business is minimal, making it not a significant drag. Furthermore, finding a suitable buyer with the necessary capital and without regulatory issues is highly improbable, suggesting Xbox will remain part of Microsoft in the foreseeable future.
Electronic Arts says it'll be a private company next week
Electronic Arts announced that it will officially become a private company on August 4th, following the closure of its $55 billion deal. This marks a significant shift for the major video game publisher.
EA expect their $55 billion sale to Saudi Arabia and private equity firms to close next week, with "all regulatory approvals required" in place
Electronic Arts expects its $55 billion sale to Saudi Arabia, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners to close next week, with all required regulatory approvals in place. CEO Andrew Wilson is expected to remain in his position. Concerns have been raised by unions and lawmakers regarding transparency, worker rights, and the human rights record of Saudi Arabia.
EA aquisition set to close on August 4 following approval from required regulatory bodies
Electronic Arts' $55 billion acquisition by a consortium of investors led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is set to close on August 4, pending the satisfaction of remaining closing conditions. The European Commission has already cleared the merger, citing limited competition concerns. Despite recent layoffs within the Battlefield division, EA reported significant financial growth, with net income soaring 81.5%.
EA acquisition set to close on August 4 following approval from required regulatory bodies
Electronic Arts' $55 billion acquisition by a consortium of investors, led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, is set to close on August 4th after receiving approval from all necessary regulatory bodies. The deal, which will see the PIF own over 93.4% of EA, was cleared by the EU Commission with no competition concerns. The article also notes EA's recent financial performance, with net income soaring 81.5% to $461 million, partly attributed to the success of Battlefield 6.
The $55bn private acquisition of Electronic Arts is expected to go ahead
Electronic Arts has received all regulatory approvals for its proposed $55 billion private acquisition by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Affinity Partners, and Silver Lake, with the deal expected to close on August 4th. This record-breaking leveraged buyout faces scrutiny due to Saudi Arabia's human rights record and the involvement of Jared Kushner. The acquisition comes as EA CEO Andrew Wilson received significant bonus payments, and the company faces pressure amid industry-wide layoffs.
EA’s Acquisition by Saudi Arabia’s PIF Gets Regulatory Approval, as Deal Closes on August 4th
Electronic Arts has announced that its acquisition by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Affinity Partners, and Silver Lake has received all necessary regulatory approvals and is expected to close on August 4, 2026. The all-cash deal, valued at approximately $55 billion, will result in EA becoming a privately owned company with PIF holding a 93.4% stake. CEO Andrew Wilson expressed excitement about future opportunities with the new partners.
