Electronic Arts Inc., one of the most influential companies in the global video-game industry, is preparing to exit public markets after its shareholders approved a $55 billion buyout led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). The approval marks the end of an era for the California-based publisher, which has been publicly traded for more than 40 years.
The vote, held on Monday, saw investors back an all-cash offer valuing the company at $210 per share. With that decision, EA moves a significant step closer to becoming a privately held company under majority ownership of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, reshaping both its corporate future and the broader gaming investment landscape.
Shareholder Approval Clears a Major Hurdle
The shareholder vote removes one of the most important barriers to completing the takeover. The transaction, first announced earlier this year, now advances to regulatory review stages in multiple regions. Once finalized, the deal will rank as the largest all-cash take-private acquisition ever completed in the video-game industry.
Upon closing, the Public Investment Fund is expected to control approximately 93.4% of Electronic Arts. The remaining ownership will be distributed among partners in the acquisition group. Following the completion of the deal, EA will be delisted from public stock exchanges, formally ending its long-standing presence as a publicly traded company.
The transaction is expected to close within six to nine months, depending on regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
A Turning Point for a Gaming Industry Veteran
Electronic Arts was founded more than four decades ago and has played a defining role in shaping modern video games. From early PC titles to major console franchises and live-service platforms, the company has repeatedly adapted to shifts in technology and consumer behavior.
Today, EA is best known for major franchises such as EA SPORTS FC, which followed the rebranding of its long-running soccer series, and Battlefield, a flagship first-person shooter franchise. Over the years, the publisher has also expanded into online services, digital distribution, and recurring revenue models tied to in-game content.
Moving to private ownership represents a fundamental change in how the company operates. Freed from the demands of quarterly earnings reports and short-term market expectations, EA’s leadership may have greater flexibility to focus on long-term development strategies and creative investments.
Who Is Behind the Acquisition
The deal is spearheaded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds. PIF manages hundreds of billions of dollars in assets and has become increasingly active in global technology, sports, and entertainment markets.
Joining PIF in the acquisition are investment firms Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, both known for large-scale investments in technology-driven businesses. The consortium structure combines sovereign capital with private-sector expertise, a model increasingly used for complex, high-value acquisitions.
This partnership approach is expected to play a key role in shaping EA’s governance and operational strategy once the company transitions to private ownership.
Saudi Arabia’s Growing Influence in Gaming
The Electronic Arts deal reflects Saudi Arabia’s accelerating push into the global video-game industry. Prior to the acquisition, PIF already held roughly 10% of EA’s outstanding shares, giving the Kingdom a meaningful stake in the company even before the takeover agreement was signed.
Saudi Arabia’s broader gaming strategy is largely driven through Savvy Games Group, a PIF-backed entity focused on building a global gaming and esports ecosystem. Through Savvy and related investments, the Kingdom has committed billions of dollars to publishers, esports teams, tournament operators, and gaming infrastructure worldwide.
By acquiring EA outright, Saudi Arabia dramatically increases its influence in the industry, gaining control of one of the world’s largest publishers with deep ties to sports licensing, competitive gaming, and digital entertainment.
Part of a Broader Vision 2030 Strategy
The acquisition aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiative, an ambitious plan aimed at diversifying the Kingdom’s economy beyond oil. Technology, entertainment, and digital industries are central to that effort, with gaming identified as a sector capable of generating global reach, skilled jobs, and long-term growth.
Owning a company like Electronic Arts provides Saudi Arabia not only with a profitable asset but also with a globally recognized brand that connects directly to younger audiences and international markets. The move reinforces the Kingdom’s intent to position itself as a major player in the future of digital entertainment.
What Private Ownership Could Mean for EA
Taking Electronic Arts private could reshape how the company develops and releases games. Without the pressure of public shareholders demanding consistent quarterly performance, the publisher may have more room to invest in longer development cycles, new intellectual property, and experimental projects.
At the same time, the success of the transition will depend on how the new owners balance creative freedom with commercial discipline. While private ownership can reduce short-term pressure, EA will still face competition from rival publishers and changing player expectations.
