Gaming
Another round of layoffs at EA: layoffs occur as sale to Saudi Arabia approaches
EA is conducting a new round of layoffs - the third this year - ahead of the $55 billion sale. Support and security teams are particularly affected.
The wave of layoffs at EA continues. The publisher has let go of a number of employees again, the third round this year. This happens as the sale of the company to the Saudi government for $55 billion (approximately 48.3 billion euros) draws closer.
According to media reports, departments including recruitment, customer support, and trust & safety have been affected. Former employees who announced their departure on social media confirm the news. The exact scale of the layoffs has not been disclosed.
Sale to Saudi Arabia nears completion
The acquisition by the Saudi investment fund, worth $55 billion, has been in preparation for months. EA also struggles with a significant debt burden estimated at $20 billion (approximately 17.6 billion euros). Some analysts see the layoffs as an attempt to cut costs before the acquisition is completed.
This is the third round of layoffs at EA in 2026. Earlier this year, hundreds of positions were already cut in marketing and development teams. The current layoffs seem to mainly affect operational and support branches.
EA has not yet responded to the reports. Meanwhile, the industry is watching tensely as this billion-dollar sale takes shape in the coming months. If the acquisition goes through, Saudi Arabia will gain control over one of the largest game makers in the world, with franchises like Battlefield, The Sims, and Mass Effect. The question is what that means for the studio's course and the employees who remain.