EA staff fear layoffs and ownership meddling after Saudi-backed buyout
Staff told Rock Paper Shotgun the company has gone private under a purchase led by the Saudi Arabian government and an investment group backed by Jared Kushner.
Electronic Arts is now private after a takeover by the Saudi Arabian government and an investment group backed by Jared Kushner, and staff told Rock Paper Shotgun they fear layoffs, the sale of teams or series, and editorial interference.
Employees who spoke to Rock Paper Shotgun said worries about future greenlighting decisions center on the values of the new owners, and that those concerns have not been calmed by EA leadership. The outlet reports staff feel the company has not done a good job of explaining what the change in ownership means for day-to-day work or long-term projects.
Some staff quoted by Rock Paper Shotgun used strong language to describe the deal, with one line of reporting saying the takeover "wouldn't have happened if the company's culture had any semblance of a moral backbone." The article links that sentiment to broader anxiety about potential mandates or priorities imposed by the new owners.
Rock Paper Shotgun also reported an example of individual resistance inside EA, saying a developer on The Sims told the outlet they would challenge any mandate to reduce diversity. The report does not specify any confirmed layoffs, studio sales, or which teams might be affected if changes are made.
The Rock Paper Shotgun piece is the clearest public account so far of internal staff reaction to the completed buyout, and it focuses on employees' fears rather than any announced corporate plans. The report does not include official statements from the Saudi government, the investment group, Jared Kushner, or Electronic Arts outlining next steps.
