One of the World’s Biggest Video Game Companies Plans to Sell to Some of the World’s Most Powerful People

Electronic Arts has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the private equity firm Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, an investment group managed by Jared Kushner. The $55 billion deal, expected to close between April and July 2026, will take the major video game publisher private. The transaction involves a $36 billion equity investment from the partners alongside $20 billion in debt financing.

The acquisition represents a significant escalation in the Saudi government’s multi-year strategy to dominate the global gaming sector. The PIF, which already held a nearly 10% stake in Electronic Arts, has previously invested billions into the industry through the Savvy Games Group, including the acquisitions of ESL, FaceIt, and Scopely, as well as substantial holdings in companies like Capcom, Take-Two Interactive, and Nintendo. While Electronic Arts leadership maintains that the company’s vision and values will remain unchanged under the new ownership, the deal has sparked internal concern among employees regarding potential workforce reductions and the implications of the Saudi government’s human rights record on the company’s corporate culture.

The deal is positioned as a move to support long-term growth and innovation, though financial analysts remain divided on the strategic benefits of the acquisition. Despite the change in ownership structure, Electronic Arts is expected to retain its current headquarters in Redwood City, California, and continue under the leadership of CEO Andrew Wilson. The acquisition stands as one of the largest investments in the history of the entertainment industry, signaling a continued shift toward private equity and sovereign wealth control over major gaming publishers.