Electronic Arts (EA) has agreed to a $55 billion buyout by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), along with Silver Lake and Affinity Partners, in what is being billed as the largest private equity buyout in history. The deal has sparked fierce backlash from gamers, particularly The Sims community, who are concerned about the ethical and creative implications of the sale.

The acquisition is structured as a leveraged buyout. It will saddle EA with around $20 billion in debt, as the buyers are essentially borrowing to fund the deal, likely resulting in EA’s assets being used as collateral.

EA CEO Andrew Wilson has confirmed he will remain in his role after the buyout, attempting to reassure staff and players. “Our new partners … are committed with conviction to EA—they believe in our people, our leadership, and the long-term vision we are now building together,” Wilson said in a statement.

Following the announcement, many fans expressed concern about how the acquisition might affect beloved franchises, especially those that feature queer characters.

EA stated that this sale will accelerate innovation and growth, that its "mission, values, and commitment to players and fans around the world remain unchanged," and it will "maintain creative control" on future and current IPs. 

However, critics argue that the issue extends beyond creative decisions of games to much deeper ethical questions.

PIF—the primary and most concerning investor of this acquisition—is a sovereign wealth fund that manages around US$700 billion on behalf of the Saudi Arabian government. PIF has announced plans to  invest $38 billion in video games by 2030. 

Through its gaming arm, Savvy Games Group, a company established by PIF, Saudi Arabia now controls an estimated 40 per cent of the global esports market share, having spent roughly $6 billion buying up game companies and $14 billion in stock investments last year. PIF’s acquisition of EA is a part of Saudi Arabia’s broader plan to diversify its oil-dependent economy.

Crown Prince Mohamad Bin Salman has previously boasted that “PIF is evolving into a primary driver of Saudi economic growth.” Meaning, players who purchase EA titles will now help bankroll a fund directly controlled by the Saudi government.

Human rights organisations have long raised alarm about Saudi Arabia’s record. Amnesty International reports that Saudi Arabia has engaged in unfair trials, restrictions on freedom of expression, abuses of women’s rights in law, targeted surveillance and continued subjection of migrant workers to the kafala sponsorship system—one which strips freedom of movement, does not guarantee a minimum wage or safe work environments—amongst other concerns.

All three companies included in the buyout are heavily involved  in developing and investing in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies, concerning gamers on how this may impact the development of EA’s games. Affinity’s CEO, Jared Kushner—Donald Trump’s son-in-law—recently launched BrainCo, which aids businesses in embedding AI into their daily operations to cut costs. Meanwhile, PIF has recently launched HUMAIN, which will drive AI development in Saudi Arabia. And, Silverlake has introduced an AI-powered banking system that will automate 80 per cent of routine tasks. 

One of EA’s most popular IPs, The Sims, is a life-simulator that has recently begun making significant changes to enhance the diversity and inclusivity of the game. These changes were spearheaded and heavily advocated by The Sims’ largely progressive community. Players now fear that this progress could be slowed or reversed under the new ownership structure.

In the wake of the announcement, multiple Sims creators on YouTube and other platforms have ended their partnerships with EA, urging fans not to use their creator codes, which give creators 10 per cent of the profits made from the purchases. These creators include Streamer Kayla "LilSimsie" Sims, Jesse "Plumbella" McNamara, DevonBumpkin, Vixella, and James Turner.

“This situation is a nightmare for our community. Nobody supports this sale, and it is putting creators in a very difficult position. They have built their entire career and livelihood over a game that they have no control over.” Sims wrote in a YouTube statement.

“The values represented by the people acquiring EA are fundamentally at odds with what I stand for and support.” 

McNamara echoed those concerns in her own statement, adding: “I hope that those that stay put pressure on EA to maintain the level of inclusiveness that The Sims has always been about.”

For a company already criticised for aggressive in-game monetisation, declining game quality and alleged mistreatment of employees, the buyout has only intensified scrutiny. For many players, this latest move feels less like a bold new chapter and more like a final straw—raising urgent questions about where EA, and the games they love, are headed next.