The impending acquisition of Electronic Arts by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and private equity firms has drawn commentary from Shams Jorjani, CEO of Arrowhead Studios, the developer behind the hit game Helldivers 2. Jorjani voiced concerns that the deal could result in a less diverse gaming landscape, prioritizing sequels and established mega-franchises over the broader range of titles that have characterized EA's portfolio.
In an email statement, Jorjani highlighted the industry's need for both business and creative diversity. He praised EA's history of supporting a wide array of games, from large-scale blockbusters like Battlefield, The Sims, and Mass Effect to smaller, more experimental titles such as Split Fiction and Unravel, as well as enduring classics like Command & Conquer Generals and SimCity 2000. He questioned whether the new ownership would continue this tradition or shift focus toward a more conservative strategy.
"This deal is consolidation, no question — and I wonder whether new ownership optimizes for the safe bet, more sequels, more mega-franchises, over that breadth," Jorjani stated. He expressed hope that the acquisition would foster continued diversity in EA's output rather than transforming the publisher into a purely sequel-driven entity, which he described as "a real waste of one of the best catalogues in the industry."
Jorjani took over as CEO of Arrowhead in 2024. His previous tenure at Paradox Interactive spanned 12 years, where he served as chief business development officer and managed a diverse portfolio of strategy games. The $55 billion acquisition of EA is nearing completion, having secured the necessary regulatory approvals. The deal involves a group comprising the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake Partners, and Affinity Partners, a private equity firm linked to Jared Kushner.