Gaming industry’s one of the biggest shake-ups is here: EA, the studio behind massive franchises like Battlefield, The Sims, and Madden, will soon go private. A consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign-wealth fund PIF, along with private-equity firm Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, has agreed to acquire 100% of EA for roughly $55 billion.
According to regulatory filings, once the deal is complete, PIF will hold about 93.4 % of EA’s shares, making it the overwhelmingly dominant owner. Silver Lake and Affinity Partners will own much smaller portions, about 5.5 % and 1.1 % respectively.
As part of the agreement, EA shareholders will receive $210 per share in cash, representing a 25% (approximately) premium over the share price before the takeover announcement. Once the acquisition finalizes, expected in early fiscal-year 2027 pending regulatory approvals, EA stock will be delisted and the company will operate privately.
What This Means for EA and the Gaming Landscape?
- EA going private could free it from the short-term pressures of public markets; potentially allowing riskier creative projects instead of safe, franchise-driven sequels.
- Under PIF’s control, EA becomes part of a broader push by Saudi Arabia to expand its footprint in global gaming and entertainment; a strategy the fund has pursued aggressively in recent years.
- On the flip side, consolidation under such a powerful entity raises questions about long-term creative freedom, studio autonomy, and the corporate culture at EA.
EA’s fate as one of the most influential game publishers just shifted dramatically; for better or worse, 2026-2027 will be a turning point for both the company and the industry.
As the industry heads into one of its most unpredictable eras, all eyes will be on how EA transforms under new ownership. For continued coverage on the deal’s impact and what it means for players, stay tuned to VGNW and follow us on X for real-time updates.
What does the EA acquisition by Saudi Arabia’s PIF mean?
The deal means EA will transition from a public company to a privately held one, with PIF controlling about 93% of the company once the buyout is finalized.
Who will control EA after the buyout?
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will become the primary owner, holding around 93% of EA’s shares, while Silver Lake and Affinity Partners take much smaller minority stakes.
How will the buyout affect EA’s games and studios?
The long-term impact is still unclear. EA may gain more flexibility without public-market pressure, but concerns remain about corporate influence, creative independence, and consolidation within the company.
