EA's Saudi takeover wouldn't have happened if the company's culture "had any semblance of a moral backbone", say staff fearing layoffs and ownership meddling

Summary

With the Saudi Arabian government and Jared Kushner-backed takeover of EA now complete, the company has gone private, and staff are bracing for the consequences. Fears of layoffs and the selling off of teams or game series following the leveraged buyout hang in the air. Employees claim that if EA's culture had "any semblance of a moral backbone", the acquisition would never have happened. They worry about ownership meddling in creative decisions and a shift towards short-term profits. This deal is significant for the gaming industry as it marks another major sovereign wealth fund entry into a major publisher. Players may see changes in development direction for EA's franchises, and job stability within the industry is called into question. Critics point out contradictions between Saudi Arabia's human rights record and freedom of expression in games. The acquisition raises broad questions about ownership, ethics, and the future of game development. Staff and players alike must prepare for potential upheaval. The full impact remains to be seen, but the industry is watching closely.