Mergers and Acquisitions
Ongoing coverage on Mergers and Acquisitions.
Latest coverage
EA approved for acquisition by Silver Lake, Affinity Partners & Saudi PIF investors next week
Electronic Arts is set to go private in early August following its $55 billion merger with investors Silver Lake, Affinity Partners, and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. Regulatory approvals have been secured, and the deal is expected to close on August 4, 2026, with Andrew Wilson remaining as CEO. The acquisition, first announced in September 2025, faced some opposition due to the involvement of Saudi Arabia and Affinity Partners, led by Jared Kushner, and was preceded by layoffs at EA.
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.
EA's $55 billion buyout is officially complete next week
Electronic Arts has confirmed that its $55 billion deal to go private will officially close on August 4, 2026, after receiving all necessary regulatory approvals. The acquisition will see Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund become the majority owner, with concerns raised by developers, US senators, and players regarding potential layoffs, foreign influence, and the impact on inclusive game development.
EA Says Saudi Takeover Deal Is Set To Close Next Week
Electronic Arts is set to become a private company next week as its acquisition by an investors’ group led by the Saudi Arabian government is expected to close around August 4, 2026. The $55 billion deal, which has received all necessary regulatory approvals, includes partners Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. Concerns have been raised regarding potential influence on EA's game content due to the Saudi government's involvement.
EA CEO Received Over $38 Million in Bonuses Despite Layoffs Due to Battlefield 6’s Success
Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson received over $38 million in bonuses and stock awards despite recent layoffs, with other executives also receiving substantial compensation. These bonuses were reportedly tied to the success of titles like Battlefield 6 and EA Sports FC, and come as EA is undergoing a $55 billion acquisition by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's PIF, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. The deal faces potential scrutiny from the US FTC regarding labor markets and job safeguarding.
Despite Battlefield 6 layoffs, EA paid its CEO 305x more than its average employee last year thanks to an $8 million bonus increase — and he could net another $125 million in severance as buyout looms
Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson earned 305 times the average employee's salary in fiscal year 2026, with his total compensation reaching $38.6 million, an increase of over $8 million from the previous year. This comes despite recent layoffs at Battlefield 6 studios. Wilson could also be eligible for an additional $125 million in severance if EA is acquired, a deal reportedly being considered by a consortium including the Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners.
AI Yi-Yi!
The article discusses the upcoming surge in AI computing power and its potential impact, referencing Nvidia's significant deals and renewed concerns about AI's economic cycle. It highlights the substantial investments being made in AI infrastructure.
Comings and Goings
John Hight has stepped down as president of Wizards of the Coast. The article also highlights new data indicating a significant increase in industry layoffs, with projections suggesting 14,259 individuals will be affected by the end of 2026.
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.
Business and Finance
Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery are facing a delay in their potential merger talks, leading to a slide in their stock prices. The legal hold-up has cast uncertainty over the future of these media giants.
Paramount agrees to delay Warner Bros. merger into 2027
Paramount has agreed to delay its merger with Warner Bros. until 2027. This extended pause will allow time to address legal challenges from states and the WGA that aim to block the deal.
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.
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.
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.
Business and Finance
A judge has extended an emergency order that pauses the potential merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Separately, Xbox console sales have doubled year-over-year, though overall US hardware sales have seen a significant decline.
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.
EU gives antritrust approval to the Saudi-led $55 billion takeover of EA
The European Union has granted antitrust approval for the proposed $55 billion takeover of Electronic Arts by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. While this is a significant step, the deal is not yet finalized.
MMO Business Roundup: CliffyB is back, a crackdown on Steam criming, and Palworld’s 30.5M sales
This MMO business roundup covers several industry developments, including Cliff Bleszinski's return with plans for a comeback after the failures of LawBreakers and Radical Heights. It also notes a temporary pause on the Warner Bros. buyout due to antitrust concerns, an indictment in Florida for malware injection into Steam games, and Palworld's continued sales success, reaching an estimated 30.5 million copies sold.
