EA is reportedly nearing a monumental $50 billion deal to go private, a move that could mark the largest leveraged buyout in history. This significant transition follows a report by the Wall Street Journal citing investors such as Silver Lake and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). Following the news, EA's market value surged from $43 billion to approximately $48 billion. If completed, this deal would overshadow the previous record for a leveraged buyout, which occurred in 2007 with the TXU power company. Additionally, PIF's involvement hints at the strengthening of Saudi Arabia’s foothold in the gaming industry, having already acquired stakes in other major gaming entities.

What does EA going private mean for gamers?

If the deal goes through, EA going private could lead to a strategic shift in how the company operates, possibly focusing more on game development and innovation without the pressures of public shareholder expectations. Gamers may anticipate changes in EA's portfolio, especially with upcoming titles like Battlefield 6 and the EA Sports franchise, as the company seeks to navigate new ownership dynamics.

EA has a storied history in the gaming industry, known for iconic franchises like Madden NFL and FIFA. The company has expanded its reach significantly over the years, not just in sports games, but also in genres like first-person shooters and role-playing games. As it stands on the cusp of this major business transformation, fans are eager to see how it might reshape their favorite gaming experiences in the future.