Within the wake of Saudi Arabia’s leveraged buyout of Digital Arts for $55 billion, avid gamers upset by the takeover are planning to protest the writer’s Redwood, California, headquarters on Could 11 in cosplay.
A motion generally known as the Players Alliance HQ has introduced its intent to “raid” EA’s headquarters on Could 11 at 11 AM PT / 2 PM ET. The purpose is to denounce Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund (PIF) buyout of the writer, with cosplaying avid gamers planning to unravel a 50-foot scroll of over 70,000 petition signatures on the Madden soccer subject on the heart of the campus. There seems to be an entire efficiency concerned within the protest as nicely, with avid gamers dressing in fits and high hats portraying the “company villains” behind the deal. Additional, an enormous well being bar prop will slowly deplete as supporters digitally have interaction with the protest, and a loot-box demonstration will reveal a spread of prizes like mass layoffs, studio closures, and aggressive monetization.
In keeping with the press launch, Gamers Alliance HQ fears that, ought to the $55 billion deal undergo (which might saddle EA with $20 billion in debt), the corporate may face strain to chop jobs, substitute workers with AI, and institute worth hikes to recoup the losses of the buyout.
“EA, one of many world’s largest online game publishers, is the goal of a proposed $55 billion leveraged buyout that might hand 93% ownership to Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund (PIF), managed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with the remaining stake cut up between Silver Lake and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Companions,” Gamers Alliance HQ wrote. “The deal would place $20 billion in debt instantly onto EA, a standard non-public fairness tactic that shifts monetary threat onto the acquired firm somewhat than the patrons.”
In keeping with a December 2025 Wall Street Journal report, the non-public fairness companies Affinity Companions and Silver Lake would personal 1.1% and 5.5% of EA, respectively, with the PIF proudly owning a majority. In consequence, the PIF must fund nearly the whole lot of the deal. Nevertheless, as we reported in November 2025 primarily based on the New York Instances’ findings, the PIF could also be going through money issues.
Nonetheless, the deal–which was revealed in September 2025–requires approval from the Federal Commerce Fee and the Committee on Overseas Funding in america. Regardless, it demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s continued curiosity within the gaming business, because the PIF owns or has invested in myriad gaming corporations, from Capcom to SNK to Nintendo.
A livestream of the protest will happen on DnD and Warhammer Twitch streamer SlayerKase‘s channel.