Jakarta, ThedailyID — A Saudi-led investor group has completed its US$55 billion acquisition of video game publisher Electronic Arts (EA), taking the company private after 36 years on the public market.
The deal closed on August 4, 2026, just days after receiving final regulatory approval from the European Union.
The acquisition brings together Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Affinity Partners, the private equity firm led by Jared Kushner, and Silver Lake Partners.
EA is one of the world’s largest game publishers, with blockbuster franchises including EA Sports FC, The Sims, Madden NFL, and Battlefield.
“EA has created stories, characters, and communities that have become part of the daily lives of hundreds of millions of people,” Kushner said.
“We’re excited to help the company reach even more players, inspire the next generation of creators, and expand how people around the world connect through games,” he added.
As a private company, EA will no longer have to publish quarterly financial results. Analysts say the move could reduce pressure to deliver short-term earnings and allow the company to focus on longer-term strategies.
However, privatizations often raise concerns about cost-cutting and layoffs. EA has not announced any workforce reductions related to the acquisition.
The company cut about 5% of its workforce in 2024 and employed roughly 14,500 people as of March 2025 before reducing headcount again two months later.
EA’s annual revenue has remained relatively stable in recent years, ranging between US$7.4 billion and US$7.6 billion, even as competition from companies such as Epic Games has intensified.
The transaction ranks among the largest acquisitions in the gaming industry, following Microsoft’s nearly US$69 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard in 2023.
