Electronic Arts (EA), a long-standing titan in the video game industry, is poised to transition to private ownership following a monumental $55 billion acquisition. This substantial deal involves an investor consortium made up of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners, and the private equity firm Silver Lake. While awaiting crucial regulatory and stockholder approvals, the transaction is projected to reach completion in Q1 FY27. This shift to a privately held entity, coupled with the assumption of $20 billion in new debt to finance the buyout, heralds a potentially transformative era for EA. The staggering sum of $55 billion grants the new owners a vast and diverse portfolio, encompassing numerous studios, globally recognized brands, and much more. Here is an in-depth examination of the assets included in this landmark acquisition.
EA`s Extensive Network of Entertainment Studios
EA has meticulously built a significant collection of development studios, many of which are responsible for its most celebrated and financially successful games. Criterion Games is renowned for its contributions to several Need for Speed titles, while DICE is best known for its groundbreaking work on the Battlefield series. Maxis, on the other hand, established its fame with the iconic The Sims franchise.
Further bolstering its creative capabilities are studios like Motive Studio, which has skillfully balanced support duties with major projects such as Star Wars: Squadrons and the critically acclaimed Dead Space remake. PopCap Games has carved out a niche with its array of popular mobile titles, and Respawn Entertainment has been a driving force behind some of EA’s most acclaimed single-player games in recent memory.
The future of esteemed studios like BioWare, famous for Mass Effect and Dragon Age, faces a degree of uncertainty. Following mass layoffs and the mixed performance of recent releases such as Anthem and Dragon Age: The Veilguard, questions arise regarding its trajectory under private ownership. Beyond these prominent names, EA`s robust studio portfolio also includes Full Circle (developers of Skate), EA Gothenburg, and Codemasters, alongside numerous other subsidiaries worldwide.
A Closer Look at EA Entertainment Studios:
- BioWare (including BioWare Austin)
- Criterion Games (including Criterion Cheshire)
- DICE (including Frostbite Labs)
- EA Baton Rouge
- EA Galway in Galway, Ireland
- EA Gothenburg
- EA Korea Studio
- EA Capital Games
- EA Redwood Studios
- Firemonkeys Studios
- Glu Mobile
- Playdemic
- Slingshot Games
- Tracktwenty Studios
- Full Circle
- Maxis (including Maxis Texas and Maxis Europe)
- Motive Studio (including Motive Studio Vancouver)
- Pogo Studios
- PopCap Games (including PopCap Shanghai and PopCap Hyderabad)
- Respawn Entertainment (including Respawn Vancouver and Respawn Wisconsin)
- Ripple Effect Studios
The Powerhouse: EA Sports Division
The EA Sports division stands as another invaluable asset within the company`s vast holdings. This segment is celebrated for its highly successful annual sports franchises, including titles for soccer (now EA Sports FC), Madden NFL, PGA Tour, and NHL. In recent years, these popular games have significantly increased their profitability through the strategic integration of live-service and robust online components, extending their appeal and commercial lifespan.
Key EA Sports Studios:
- Codemasters (including Codemasters Birmingham and Codemasters Kuala Lumpur)
- EA Cologne
- EA Madrid
- EA Orlando
- EA Romania
- EA Vancouver
- Metalhead Software
An Expansive Library of Game Franchises and Intellectual Properties
Throughout its operational history, EA has amassed an exceptionally large portfolio of video game intellectual properties (IPs). While certain franchises, such as Army of Two and Titanfall, have not seen new entries in several years, their ownership still represents substantial potential value, especially in an evolving landscape dominated by transmedia projects. The acquisition also encompasses various licensed IPs, notably several Star Wars games already released, with more titles actively under development. Additionally, the company’s EA Originals label fosters collaborations with independent studios, yielding critically acclaimed titles like Split Fiction, while its sports games benefit from hundreds of official licensing agreements, ensuring unparalleled authenticity.
Major Game Franchises Included:
- Battlefield
- Need for Speed
- Medal of Honor
- Madden Football
- EA Sports FC
- The Sims
- Mirror`s Edge
- Titanfall
- Apex Legends
- Mass Effect
- Dragon Age
- Dead Space
- Plants vs Zombies
- Command and Conquer
- Skate
- Army of Two
- Bejeweled
- Peggle
Other Strategic EA Divisions and Initiatives
Beyond its primary development studios and rich IP catalog, the acquisition also incorporates several other strategically important divisions that contribute to EA’s comprehensive ecosystem:
- EA All Play: This specialized label concentrates on mobile gaming, various digital titles, and digital board games, catering to a broad casual audience.
- EA Competitive Gaming Division (CGD): Established in 2015, the CGD is singularly focused on cultivating and expanding esports competitions, leveraging popular titles such as EA Sports FC and Battlefield.
- SEED (Search for Extraordinary Experiences Division): Serving as EA`s dedicated incubator for advanced research and development, SEED explores and pioneers new technologies from its offices located in Los Angeles and Stockholm.
- EA Platforms and Services: This crucial division includes the company’s proprietary PC distribution platform, the EA App, as well as the robust subscription service EA Play, which is accessible both as a standalone offering and as an integrated component of a Game Pass Ultimate subscription.