The Big of the Electronic Arts video games (EA) returns private, thanks to an offer made by the Saudi sovereign fund and other investors, who have put the record figure of 55 billion dollars on the plate to detect the company. A deal that proves to be very interesting for shareholders, who will collect a nice prize, while the same cannot be said of the gamers, whose expectations have already been disappointed in the past.
The terms of the operation
EA has announced that cash will be acquired from the Saudi Arabia Sovereign Investment Fund (PIF), together with other investors such as Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, for a value of 55 billion dollars, paid in cash. The shareholders will receive 210 dollars per share, receiving a 25% prize compared to the price of 168.32 dollars at the end of the market on September 25, 2025, the last day of negotiation before the announcement of the Deal, and a 17% prize compared to the historic maximum of EA of 179.01 dollars, recorded last summer (August 14).
However, there is a 45 -day temporal window for the arrival of any other proposals, although analysts are convinced that the agreement will end with the Saudi Fund, without any regulatory or political obstacle, also considering the good relationship that Riad entertains with President Trump. The operation will end within the tax year 2027.
Wall Street celebrates but not the gamers: the reasons
If Wall Street has widely celebrated the agreement, considered very advantageous for shareholders, who sold the title above the historic tops, collecting a more than reasonable prize, it is not so for the gamers, which in the past have suffered the lack of novelty and the poor investments in innovation of the management.
For years, the players have criticized the lack of innovation and the aggressive tactics of Monetization of EA, which has assets such as EA Sports FC (ex Fifa), The Sims and Battlefield in portfolio. In 2012 and 2013, EA was voted as a “worst company of America” by Consumerist, while in 2018, it was classified by USA Today in fifth place among the most hated companies in the United States.
Gamers have always criticized the management strategy to run behind sequels rather than innovate and record new intellectual properties.
The company reassures: there will be new opportunities
“Our creative teams have offered extraordinary experiences to hundreds of millions of fans, created some of the most iconic IPs in the world and created a significant value for our company. This moment is a strong recognition of their extraordinary work”
He declared CEO Andrew Wilson, announcing the operation.
“Looking to the future, we will continue to push the boundaries of entertainment, sport and technology, opening new opportunities. Together with our partners, we will create transformative experiences to inspire future generations. I am more enthusiastic than never for the future we are building”.
