Saudi Arabia's PIF Completes $55B Acquisition of Electronic Arts

On August 4, 2026, Electronic Arts (EA) revealed that it would be acquired by a consortium that includes Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, with a total valuation of $55 billion, of which $20 billion is financed through loans. This move aligns with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s initiative to boost Saudi investments in the gaming sector, despite the CIA labeling him as the orchestrator of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder in 2018. A New York Times report from late 2025 pointed to PIF's financial struggles and its evolution. PIF has investments in various gaming firms and established Savvy Games Group. The deal has sparked protests over 'gameswashing,' especially regarding EA's diverse franchises and fears of layoffs amid Saudi Arabia's harsh penalties for same-sex relationships.