EA lays off staff ahead of Saudi Arabia buyout

Electronic Arts has cut an unspecified number of jobs in a third round of layoffs this year. The move comes as the company prepares for a $55 billion leveraged buyout by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.

The cuts hit teams in recruitment, customer support, trust and safety, and IT. Kotaku first reported the news, which was backed by social media posts from affected staff working remotely inside and outside the United States.

The layoffs form part of broader changes at the publisher. Chief executive Andrew Wilson stated in late 2024 that AI formed the core of the business, while executive Laura Miele said the technology had boosted creativity at its studios.

The buyout deal, first announced in September 2025, would give the Saudi fund 93.4 percent ownership. It is expected to close within months once European antitrust approval is secured by a July 23 deadline. The transaction would rank as the largest leveraged buyout in history.

Unions and human rights groups have protested the plans. The involvement of Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US president Donald Trump, has also drawn attention to the deal.

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Electronic Arts has carried out another round of layoffs affecting roles in recruitment, customer support, Trust and Safety, and IT. The cuts come as the company prepares to go private in a multibillion-dollar deal.

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Bankers financing Electronic Arts' leveraged buyout by Saudi Arabia and others raced to sell billions in debt amid U.S. threats against Iran. JPMorgan managed to offload the financing just in time, as President Trump considered military action. EA executives pitched AI's benefits to wary investors during the process.

Shawn Layden, the former head of Sony Interactive Entertainment America, has publicly commented on recent moves by Xbox. In LinkedIn posts, he described the changes as reflecting a misunderstanding of the industry.

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Chicago-based game studio Iron Galaxy has laid off dozens of employees as it adapts to changes in the gaming industry. The announcement follows the release of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 remaster collection. A source indicated the cuts could affect up to 90 staff members.

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