Overview

• In an SEC-filed FAQ, EA told staff their jobs, teams, and daily work will not change immediately and said the deal is expected to close in six to nine months with no executive team changes.
• A consortium of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners will acquire 100% of EA, with PIF rolling its existing stake.
• Reporting indicates the buyout includes roughly $20 billion in JPMorgan debt and about $36 billion in cash from the owners, increasing leverage on the company.
• Anonymous BioWare employees say they are preparing portfolios and exploring other jobs after Dragon Age: The Veilguard underperformed and layoffs reduced the studio to fewer than 100 staff.
• Former BioWare executive Mark Darrah warned the debt load could lead to layoffs, studio closures, or asset sales after closing, and coverage also noted questions about culture and inclusion under PIF-linked ownership.