EA Employees Fear Censorship After US$55 Billion Saudi Buyout

EA employees are worried about censorship, potential layoffs, and reduced creative freedom after a $55 billion Saudi-led purchase of the company. The acquisition, completed on August 4, 2026, brought EA under the ownership of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, private equity firm Silver Lake, and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners. The largest leveraged buyout in private equity history, the deal paid EA shareholders $210 per share in cash, a 25% premium over the stock's price before the sale rumors began.

Industry reports suggest that many employees fear the new Saudi owners will impose stricter limits on game production, especially for titles promoting diversity and inclusion, such as The Sims. One former BioWare lead writer even warned that "guns and football" will remain safe for EA games, while LGBTQ+ content could disappear from future releases. Despite EA's reassurance that "cultural values" will remain intact, employees question whether this promise can truly safeguard the company's creative culture.

The Saudi deal has sparked concerns about censorship for several reasons. Some believe the acquisition serves as a form of "sportswashing," where Saudi Arabia uses EA to improve its international image while diverting attention from its own human rights record. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has openly embraced this practice, telling Fox News in 2023 that he will continue supporting it if it benefits Saudi GDP.

The financial structure of the deal adds to the anxiety. The $55 billion purchase was funded primarily through $36 billion in equity and $20 billion in debt, arranged by JPMorgan Chase. This debt now sits on EA's balance sheet, putting pressure on the company to satisfy lenders, which could lead to layoffs and game cancellations. Some employees feel conflicted, knowing that vested shareholders will profit from the $210 per share payout, but temporary full-time workers, who lack equity, receive no such relief.