Electronic Arts is one of the most recognizable names in gaming, but right now many EA employees aren’t celebrating. Instead, reports suggest that workers inside EA are anxious and upset following the company’s massive sale to a Saudi-backed consortium.
The $55 billion deal, first reported earlier this week, will take EA private under a group led by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, along with Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. EA will reportedly carry $20 billion in debt financing as part of the transaction. Analysts are split — some see potential growth opportunities, while others call the move risky and self-serving.
Analysts Split on the Move
Financial experts are far from united on the buyout. Mike Hickey of Benchmark told the Associated Press that the deal looks like “a self-serving, opportunistic move by management and the investor group.” By contrast, Freedom Capital’s Nick McKay offered a more optimistic view, claiming the move will allow EA to “increase its focus on long-term growth” without Wall Street breathing down its neck.
A screenshot from EA Sports FC 24 (2023), EA Canada & EA Romania
It’s a debate that has real stakes. EA’s flagship soccer franchise — now branded EA Sports FC — just launched its 2026 edition last week. Next month, Battlefield 6 is set to arrive in an attempt to once again challenge Activision’s dominance in the military shooter market. The stakes for both titles could not be higher as EA prepares to enter its new era under foreign ownership.
Wilson’s Message to Staff
EA CEO Andrew Wilson, who is expected to stay on following the deal, struck an upbeat tone in a note to employees. He told staff: “This moment is a recognition of your creativity, your innovation, and your passion. Everything we have achieved—and everything that lies ahead—is because of you.”
A screenshot from Mass Effect Legendary Edition (2021), BioWare
Wilson also reassured workers that “our values and our commitment to players and fans around the world remain unchanged.”
But not everyone was convinced.
Workers Speak Out: “It’s Going to Get Worse”
Gamefile spoke with several current EA employees who painted a very different picture.
One worker didn’t hold back: “Andrew Wilson basically said ‘f you’ to all women and LGTBQ employees at EA with this deal.” This was, of course, a remark on Saudi Arabia’s history of strict gender segregation, limited freedoms for women, and harsh punishments for same-sex relationships — a record that stands in stark contrast to the progressive image EA has cultivated over the years.
A screenshot from Dragon Age: The Veilguard (2024), BioWare
READ: EA Will Assume $20 Billion Debt in Sale — This Could Doom for BioWare and Mass Effect 5
Another was blunt about the toll on morale.
“It just shows how many people have been collateral this past year for executives to make out rich,” they said. “Nothing feels great. And we know, when the deal closes, it’s going to get worse before it gets better, if better is even possible.”
A screenshot from Dragon Age: The Veilguard (2024), BioWare
A third worker told Gamefile they expect layoffs to follow.
“I’m nervous about what this means in terms of workforce once the deal is closed, as layoffs usually follow those type of acquisitions,” they noted. “And on a personal level, those future owners are really not in line with my values and beliefs.”
Why Employees Are Nervous
The Public Investment Fund has ties directly to the Saudi government, which has drawn criticism for its human rights record. For years, EA has branded itself as one of the more socially progressive publishers in gaming, highlighting its support for Pride month and even weaving topics like pronoun selection into games such as The Sims and Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
A screenshot from Dragon Age: The Veilguard (2024), BioWare
That makes this deal especially jarring for employees who view it as a clash with the company’s stated values.
Meanwhile, EA reported 14,500 employees as of March 30, 2025 — an increase despite two rounds of layoffs in the last two years. With $20 billion in debt and history showing consolidation often leads to job cuts, many employees are bracing for what they see as inevitable.
The Bigger Picture
Whether the acquisition ends up reshaping EA’s culture and workforce remains to be seen. But the unease from employees is already palpable. For a company that thrives on its creative talent, leadership may have a rough road ahead convincing staff that this new direction won’t come at their expense.
A screenshot from Mass Effect Legendary Edition (2021), BioWare
For now, what should be a moment of triumph for management has become a moment of dread for the rank and file.
Do you think EA Employees have justified fears in the wake of this Saudi-backed sale? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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