Electronic Arts completes $55 billion buyout by Saudi-led consortium

Electronic Arts (EA) has officially completed a $55 billion acquisition, transitioning from a public company to private ownership under a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. The deal, which includes Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, involves approximately $20 billion in debt financing.

The buyout has triggered significant anxiety among employees regarding job security and creative autonomy. Workers have expressed concerns that the new ownership structure could lead to studio closures or influence game development by prioritizing projects that align with the interests of the investors. Specifically, there are doubts regarding the future of BioWare and its Mass Effect franchise, with industry analysts suggesting that the company’s heavy debt load may force a shift toward high-earning live-service titles over single-player experiences.

Amidst these structural changes and recent layoffs at studios such as DICE and Criterion, EA CEO Andrew Wilson received $38.65 million in total compensation for fiscal 2026. This compensation includes $28.5 million in stock awards and $6.5 million in non-equity incentives, highlighting a disconnect between executive pay and the recent workforce reductions.