EA’s Saudi takeover will be "a real waste" if it turns the publishers into a "sequel-and-mega-franchise machine", Helldivers 2 studio boss says
Well, it's happened. EA's thumbs up from the European Commission , the $55 billion leveraged buyout by Saudi Arabia, Silver Lake and Jared Kushner-founded investment firm Affinity Partners has gone through . With the publishers now privately owned and saddled with a bunch of debt, questions loom about what their future will look like. The CEO of Helldivers 2 studio Arrowhead, Shams Jorjani, hopes…
The European Commission has approved EA's $55 billion leveraged buyout by Saudi Arabia, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners-owned investment firm. This takeover leaves the gaming publisher, which is now privately owned and burdened with debt, in a precarious position. Helldivers 2 studio boss Arrowhead, Shams Jorjani, voiced concerns over the potential consequences of this acquisition in an email to RPS.
Jorjani expressed hope that EA's future would not be dominated by "a sequel-and-mega-franchise machine". He emphasized the importance of maintaining business and creative diversity within the industry, stating that the presence of a variety of studios and publishers operating at different scales fosters a healthier gaming environment.
Jorjani highlighted the range of EA's portfolio over the years, including both blockbuster franchises like Battlefield, the Sims, and Mass Effect, as well as more niche and innovative titles such as Split Fiction, Unravel, Command and Conquer Generals, and SimCity 2000. He voiced hope that the new ownership would lead to an increase in this diversity rather than a reduction.
However, Jorjani is skeptical about whether the new ownership will lead to more safety over range. He lamented the loss of several series EA has shelved, including Burnout, Codemasters' rally games, and Need For Speed. He also expressed skepticism about BioWare's potential return to form, noting their recent staff cut following Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
The deal itself has led to EA taking on $18 billion in debt, with annual costs to be cut by $700 million, including $170 million in "organizational efficiencies" in the form of mass layoffs. Jorjani is concerned that this could lead to a reduction in EA's willingness to invest in new series or projects that do not align with their biggest cash cow franchises like EA FC, Battlefield, Madden, The Sims, and Star Wars-related games.
Written by urgent.news from Rock Paper Shotgun's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
