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Just because the video game industry is growing larger and more profitable doesn’t mean that it is all good news for major studios. Even massive companies like EA are subject to corporate purchases. Electronic Arts has been bought for an eyewatering $55 billion by a consortium of buyers that includes Silver Lake, Jared Kushner, and the Saudi Arabian royal family. However, there is a $20 billion catch here.

The deal, which still needs approval from various governing bodies to go ahead, would be the largest leveraged buyout in history. That means that the purchase is financed through about $20 billion in debt, which EA will need to pay back before it becomes profitable again. “The revenue generated by big games like EA Sports FC, Madden, and Battlefield 6 will need to be in service to this debt, which may impact EA’s ability to invest in new games,” gaming industry expert Christopher Dring said in a reaction to the purchase.

The purchase will also make Electronic Arts a privately owned company; the consortium that has offered to buy the company will purchase all shares in EA, meaning it will no longer be traded on the stock market after this. It gives them total control over the direction of the company going forward. It is far too early to tell how much influence the new owners of EA, who either develop or publish iconic games such as Madden, Battlefield, Mass Effect, and The Sims, will exert on future gaming content. 

Saudi Arabia is involved in the purchase through their Public Investment Fund, which also owns portions of Take Two Interactive and Nintendo, as well as Pokémon Go developer Niantic. Jared Kushner, President Trump’s son-in-law, is involved in the deal through his company Affinity Partners.  

The gaming industry has come a long way since Pong blew all our minds in the 70s. We've got everything you need to know about the next big thing in games. Of course, Grand Theft Auto VI is going to be the big game of 2026, but there are plenty of other games coming out between now and then. Here is our starter guide for every gamer:

• All upcoming games in 2025 and beyond
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And be sure to check Popverse regularly for the latest gaming news.