Saudi-Led Group Finalizes $55 Billion Acquisition of Gaming Giant EA

A Saudi-led consortium has completed a $55 billion purchase of the video game publisher Electronic Arts (EA), moving the maker of franchises such as The Sims and EA FC into private ownership. The acquisition significantly expands Saudi Arabia's investment in the global gaming industry.

The Public Investment Fund (PIF), controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, is at the forefront of this deal. The PIF has been instrumental in funding various large-scale ventures, particularly in sports, including the acquisition of Premier League club Newcastle United and several Saudi League football clubs. Saudi Arabia has also hosted major esports tournaments, including the upcoming Esports World Cup in 2025.

This significant investment in EA, a company with a reach to millions of players worldwide, has led to discussions about the potential for the Saudi government to shape public perception. "What is clear is that a state seeking to shape perceptions now owns an asset with proven reach to billions of people," noted one analyst. "How it uses it in the years to come is something we should watch closely."

The transaction has also placed considerable debt upon the acquired company. The PIF's engagement in high-profile acquisitions has frequently drawn accusations of sportswashing, a practice where entities sponsor or host events to improve their public image and potentially distract from human rights concerns. The Saudi government has consistently denied such claims.

Analysts suggest that owning EA could provide the PIF with relationships across a vast network of professional gaming, encompassing approximately 20,000 players, 750 clubs, and 35 leagues. This move follows a 2019 UN report that stated "the state of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is responsible" for the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a claim Saudi Arabia has always denied.