Electronic Arts is on the verge of completing its $55 billion sale to a consortium including Saudi Arabia, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, with the deal anticipated to close on or around August 4th, 2026. The company announced that all necessary regulatory approvals, including clearance from the European Commission, have been obtained.
This leveraged buyout will take EA private, with current CEO Andrew Wilson expected to remain in his leadership position. However, the impending closure has amplified concerns from various groups regarding its impact on the company's workforce and creative output. The United Videogame Workers-CWA union previously stated that private equity or billionaire ownership can lead to reduced visibility, transparency, and power for workers. They expressed worries that decisions affecting jobs, creative direction, and the future of the company might be made by executives without direct industry experience, and called for scrutiny to protect jobs and ensure accountability.
These concerns have also been echoed by US lawmakers. Earlier this year, 46 members of Congress signed a letter to the Federal Trade Commission highlighting similar issues. Developers working on EA franchises, such as The Sims, have publicly stated their intention to resist any directives that could lead to a reduction in game diversity, particularly in light of Saudi Arabia's human rights record and its government's stance on LGBTQ+ rights. Amnesty International has cited the country's poor human rights record, including arbitrary detentions, abuse of migrant workers, and discrimination against women, and the CIA has linked the regime to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.