Electronic Arts, the publisher behind franchises including The Sims, Battlefield and EA Sports FC, has been acquired by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and a consortium of investors in a deal valued at $55bn (£41bn).
The company said the transaction was completed on Tuesday after receiving final approval from European Union regulators, bringing an end to its 36-year run as a publicly traded company.
The buyers include the PIF, Affinity Partners – the investment firm led by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of US President Donald Trump – and private equity group Silver Lake Partners. In a statement, Kushner said EA had created “stories, characters and communities” that had become part of everyday life for hundreds of millions of people and that the new owners intended to support its future growth.
Founded in 1982 by former Apple employee William “Trip” Hawkins, EA has grown into one of the world’s largest video game publishers, with sports titles remaining its biggest commercial success. Saudi Arabia has expanded its investments in gaming and esports in recent years as part of a broader push into entertainment and technology, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has publicly spoken about his interest in video games.
The acquisition comes at a challenging time for EA. The company’s revenues have largely stagnated in recent years, while competition from major gaming firms has intensified. On Monday, EA reported lower-than-expected quarterly revenue, citing weaker engagement with its latest Battlefield release. As a private company, EA will no longer be required to publish quarterly financial results, although analysts say such deals are often followed by cost-cutting measures, and the company has already reduced its workforce in recent years.
