Mergers and Acquisitions
Ongoing coverage on Mergers and Acquisitions.
Latest coverage
Saudi Arabia's $55 billion EA buyout approved by the European Commission, who say it doesn't "raise competition concerns"
The European Commission has approved Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund's $55 billion buyout of Electronic Arts, stating it raises no competition concerns within the EU. While the deal has received regulatory approval in Europe, US lawmakers have called for an investigation into potential anti-competitive practices and worker impact.
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.
EU approves Saudi Arabia's $55bn acquisition of EA, clearing path for largest private leveraged buyout of all time
The European Union has approved Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners' $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts, citing no competition concerns. This leveraged buyout is set to be the largest in history. The deal has faced criticism from human rights organizations and video game industry unions due to concerns about sportswashing and Saudi Arabia's human rights record.
Saudi Arabia's divisive EA buyout approved under EU merger rules
The European Commission has approved the acquisition of Electronic Arts by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund under EU merger rules. The commission found the $55 billion deal, which involves the production and distribution of video games across mobile, PC, and consoles, will not raise competition concerns due to its limited market impact. The deal has faced scrutiny over potential human rights implications and cultural washing concerns.
Business and Finance
GSC Game World, the developer of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, has responded to comments made by its founder regarding Xbox exclusivity. Separately, the European Union has approved Paramount Global's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery.
EU gives Paramount's Warner Bros. acquisition the go-ahead
The European Union has approved Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, provided Paramount ceases its distribution business with Universal in Europe. This decision clears a significant hurdle for the proposed merger.
Warner Bros. Acquisition Is Stuck In Legal Limbo Again
A judge has issued a two-week pause on the planned acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Paramount Skydance, citing potential antitrust violations. This ruling temporarily halts the deal, which would have transferred ownership of Warner Bros. Games and its valuable IPs like Hogwarts Legacy and Mortal Kombat to Paramount Skydance. The coalition of state attorneys, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, argued the merger could lead to higher prices, while Paramount Skydance insists the lawsuit misapplies antitrust laws.
Business and Finance
A judge has paused the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. The decision halts further progress on the deal, the specifics of which are not detailed in this brief mention.
Judge halts Paramount-Warner Bros. merger for a minimum of 14 days
A judge has issued a 14-day restraining order halting the planned merger between Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery, citing potential violations of US antitrust laws. The order was granted after a coalition of state attorneys general argued the deal could lead to fewer content options and higher prices for consumers. Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery will continue to operate as separate entities during the legal proceedings.
Judge pauses the controversial Paramount-Warner Bros. merger for two weeks
A judge has temporarily halted the proposed merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. This pause is to allow for a review of a multi-state lawsuit that has been filed concerning the deal.
The Xbox Characters That Defined 25 Years of Gaming
This article examines the iconic characters that have defined Xbox's 25-year history, from Master Chief and Marcus Fenix to Minecraft Steve and Ori. These characters represent the evolution of Xbox from a console newcomer to a multi-platform gaming brand, highlighting shifts in game design, company acquisitions, and the importance of personality in brand identity.
Take-Two Interactive’s Positive Cash Flow Opens Up Opportunities for Acquisitions, Says CEO
Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick reported strong financial results, with net bookings exceeding expectations thanks to titles like NBA 2K and the Grand Theft Auto series. The company anticipates over $1 billion in cash flow for the upcoming fiscal year, enabling potential mergers and acquisitions. The highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch on November 19th for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, with pre-orders already indicating record-breaking sales potential.
Saudi-Led $55 Billion EA Buyout Is Reportedly Set To Clear The EU
Electronic Arts' $55 billion takeover by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is reportedly nearing approval from the European Union. No significant obstacles remain, and the Saudi fund is expected to become the dominant owner.
Business and Finance
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is reportedly set to receive approval from the European Union for its deal with Electronic Arts. The approval is expected under specific subsidy rules, according to sources.
Saudi Arabia’s EA Takeover Reportedly Set To Clear EU Hurdle
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is reportedly set to receive approval from the European Union for its $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts by the end of July. Despite initial concerns and gamer protests, the deal is expected to pass EU regulatory review under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation. This acquisition would be the second-largest in gaming history, following Microsoft's purchase of Activision Blizzard.
"I would fight it tooth and nail": The Sims artist would challenge any mandate to reduce diversity after EA Saudi buyout
The Sims senior character artist Jess Hyland stated she would strongly oppose any mandate to reduce diversity in the game following Electronic Arts' acquisition by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. While Hyland has not heard of any such mandate, she expressed concerns shared by players and former developers about potential cultural shifts impacting the game's inclusive design.
Evening Reading - July 16, 2026
This edition of Shacknews Evening Reading covers various industry news, including layoffs at ZeniMax Online Studios, the Call of Duty League Championship, and NVIDIA's expansion into Japan. It also features reviews for Denshattack! and Buc-ee's, a look back at Two Point Studios' decade, and mentions of Netflix's earnings and Hasbro's deal with Nintendo for Legend of Zelda toys. The article also highlights rotoscoping in indie game development and includes a personal reflection from CEO Asif Khan.
Evening Metaverse
Verizon is retiring its Community Forum on August 18th. Separately, reports indicate Comcast is considering acquiring its cable rival Charter, signaling potential consolidation in the telecommunications industry.
Evening Legal Briefs
A judge has denied an injunction sought in a consumer lawsuit challenging the merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. The ruling allows the merger process to continue without immediate legal impediment from this specific consumer action.