{"id":28692,"date":"2026-08-05T15:28:40","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T10:28:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=28692"},"modified":"2026-08-05T15:28:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T10:28:40","slug":"more-ea-layoffs-expected-as-saudi-arabia-buyout-is-completed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=28692","title":{"rendered":"More EA layoffs expected as Saudi Arabia buyout is completed"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" width=\"646\" height=\"363\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_307312185-201c.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29291423\" alt=\"EA Sports FC 27 screenshot of players kicking a ball\" decoding=\"sync\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>A new EA era (EA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/electronic-arts\/\">Electronic Arts<\/a> has completed its $55 billion acquisition to a group of private investors, as debt from the deal threatens to overwhelm the company.<\/p>\n<p>After the buyout was <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/09\/29\/ea-bought-55-billion-biggest-leveraged-buyout-history-24294369\/\">announced in September<\/a>, EA has officially completed its $55 billion (\u00a340.9 billion) acquisition to an investor consortium, making them a private company rather than one that\u2019s on a stock exchange.<\/p>\n<p>The game publisher, known for titles like <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/08\/04\/ea-sports-fc-27-hands-on-first-look-a-beautiful-game-29291403\/\">EA Sports FC<\/a> and <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/battlefield\/\">Battlefield<\/a>, is now owned by Saudi Arabia\u2019s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. The latter is a US-based investment firm founded by <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a>\u2019s son-in-law, Jared Kushner.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>According to a filing with Brazil\u2019s antitrust regulator (via <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/business\/deals\/saudi-fund-to-own-almost-all-of-electronic-arts-after-buyout-661e92be\">The Wall Street Journal<\/a>), the PIF owns 93.4% of EA following the deal, while Silver Lake and Affinity own 5.5% and 1.1%, respectively.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In a statement confirming the deal, EA CEO Andrew Wilson said: \u2018This moment recognises the extraordinary people whose creativity, ambition and passion have made EA one of the world\u2019s leading interactive entertainment companies.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u2018We\u2019re entering this next chapter from a position of strength with partners who share our vision and ambition. Together, we\u2019ll invest boldly, accelerate innovation, and build the next generation of games and experiences for the hundreds of millions of players and fans who inspire us every day.\u2019 <\/p>\n<div class=\"factbox\" data-ico=\"factbox_article\" data-track-module=\"factbox_article\">\n<h2 class=\"factbox-title\">\n\t\t\t\tExpert, exclusive gaming analysis\t\t\t<\/h2>\n<div class=\"factbox-content\">\n<p>Sign up to the <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/newsletters\/game-central\/\"><strong>GameCentral newsletter<\/strong><\/a> for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>This deal means EA will now go private after 36 years as a publicly traded company. More importantly, Saudi Arabia\u2019s PIF has borrowed $20 billion (\u00a314.8 billion) to close the deal, with the business taking on the debt.\u00a0 <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube\">\n<p>\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Battlefield 6 Official Reveal Trailer\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/pgNCgJG0vnY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>With $20 billion in debt hanging over the company, there\u2019s concern around how EA will pay it back. As noted by <a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/jasonschreier.bsky.social\/post\/3lzy2ieztws2w\">Bloomberg\u2019s Jason Schreier<\/a> when the acquisition was proposed, it could lead to \u2018mass layoffs, more aggressive monetisation, and other big cost-cutting measures\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Mere hours after the deal was confirmed, a <a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/jasonschreier.bsky.social\/post\/3mscbqr7m3c2p\">new post on Bluesky<\/a> revealed that EA has told investors that it will be cutting $700 million in annual costs, including $170 million in \u2018organisational efficiencies\u2019. Or in Schreier\u2019s own words: \u2018mass layoffs\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>Layoffs and increased microtransactions have always been inevitable (there have already been <a href=\"https:\/\/kotaku.com\/ea-layoffs-fan-care-recruitment-hyderabad-2000708971\">three rounds of layoffs<\/a> at EA this year), but this debt will almost certainly lead EA to focus on its biggest franchises, at the expense of smaller games. EA is known for its annual sport titles and Battlefield, but the publisher has also partnered with smaller studios in the past for its EA Originals label, which led to titles like <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2016\/02\/08\/unravel-review-eas-epic-yarn-5669479\/\">Unravel<\/a> and <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2021\/03\/31\/it-takes-two-review-two-player-only-14333155\/\">It Takes Two<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Another concern is how involved the PIF, the largest stakeholder, will be in the publisher\u2019s games moving forward. The fund is controlled by Saudi Arabia\u2019s prince Mohammed bin Salman, whose government has been accused of numerous human rights violations.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>In a country where LGBTQ+ people are discriminated against, there\u2019s concern that the PIF\u2019s ownership could censor titles like <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2025\/02\/04\/sims-25-confessions-guilty-gamers-playing-virtual-lives-22491693\/\">The Sims<\/a>, which champion inclusivity.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s worth noting that the PIF was already an investor in EA, albeit as a minority stakeholder with 9.9%. Now, it owns the majority of the company.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The deal represents Saudi Arabia\u2019s growing investment into the gaming space. The country bought <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/pokemon\/\">Pok\u00e9mon<\/a> Go developer Niantic for $3.5b billion (\u00a32.7 billion) last year, and also hosted the <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" data-track=\"inline-tag-auto-link_article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/tag\/esports\/\">Esports<\/a> World Cup.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"img-container shareable-item wp-caption\">\n<div class=\"img-wrap\">\n\t\t<img width=\"646\" height=\"363\" src=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_307312184-c147.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=646\" class=\"article-image wp-image-29291424\" alt=\"EA Sports FC 27 screenshot of players kicking a ball\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>\t<\/div><figcaption>EA Sports FC 27 is on the horizon (EA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong><em>Email\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/08\/05\/ea-layoffs-expected-saudi-arabia-buyout-completed-29303277\/mailto:gamecentral@metro.co.uk\">gamecentral@metro.co.uk<\/a>, leave a comment below,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GameCentral\">follow us on Twitter<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>To submit Inbox letters and Reader\u2019s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our\u00a0<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/submit-stuff\/\">Submit Stuff page here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>For more stories like this,\u00a0<a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/entertainment\/gaming\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">check our Gaming page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/08\/05\/big-walk-review-opposite-friendslop-29300542\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">Big Walk review \u2013 the opposite of friendslop<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/08\/04\/xbox-360-games-coming-pc-project-helix-reveals-leaked-document-29298038\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">Xbox 360 games are coming to PC and Project Helix reveals leaked document<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"metro-more-link\"><svg><title>Arrow<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#common-right-arrow\" href=\"#common-right-arrow\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"mor-link\" data-track-module=\"mor-link_article\">MORE: <a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/2026\/08\/04\/nintendo-spoils-wild-plot-twist-fire-emblem-fortunes-weave-new-direct-29297663\/?ico=more_text_links\" class=\"\">Nintendo spoils wild plot twist for Fire Emblem: Fortune\u2019s Weave in new Direct<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<section id=\"share-buttons-bottom\" class=\"share-buttons share-buttons-bottom\"><a class=\"metro-button share-bar-comments\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"#metro-comments-container\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span><svg><title>Comment now<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#social-comment\" href=\"#social-comment\"\/><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-comments__label\">Comments<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t<\/a><a data-ico=\"hyperlink-article\" class=\"metro-button share-bar-preferred-source\" data-vars-position=\"bottom\" href=\"https:\/\/google.com\/preferences\/source?q=https:\/\/metro.co.uk\" target=\"_blank\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span><svg><title>Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title>\n<use xlink:href=\"#social-preferred-source\" href=\"#social-preferred-source\"\/><\/svg><\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"share-bar-preferred-source__label\">Add as preferred source<\/span><br \/>\n\t\t\t<\/a><\/section>\n<div class=\"newsletter-end-card accent--gaming\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-end-card__inner\">\n<h4>GameCentral<\/h4>\n<p>Sign up for exclusive analysis, latest releases, and bonus community content.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A new EA era (EA) Electronic Arts has completed its $55 billion acquisition to a group of private investors, as debt from the deal threatens to overwhelm the company. After the buyout was announced in September, EA has officially completed its $55 billion (\u00a340.9 billion) acquisition to an investor consortium, making them a private company&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":28693,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/SEI_307312185-201c_1785924360.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1200&h=630&crop=1","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28692","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrity-gossip"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28692","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=28692"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28692\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/28693"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=28692"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=28692"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=28692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}