Copyright Polygon
Electronic Arts says it will "maintain creative control" and its "track record of creative freedom and player-first values" under its planned new ownership. That's according to an updated employee-focused FAQ that addresses questions about "culture change" coming as part of a deal to take the game publisher private. EA's assertion that it will still call the shots creatively expands on a previously published version of that FAQ that was updated last week, and spotted by Game File. The language matches up with a pledge from EA CEO Andrew Wilson, who said in September, when the $55 billion deal to take EA private was announced, "Our values and our commitment to players and fans around the world remain unchanged." Also new in that FAQ is this language, regarding the new owners of EA: "The Consortium believes in our vision, our leadership and the strength of our teams. They are investing in EA because they believe we are uniquely positioned to lead the future of entertainment." That may do little to assuage the fears of employees and some fans of EA's games, particularly The Sims and BioWare's brand of RPGs, who have expressed concern about the conservative influence of EA's potential future owners — Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, private equity fund Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, the investment firm founded by Jared Kushner. Some EA workers have reportedly expressed concerns over whether EA would lessen inclusivity and other so-called political elements in its games in the future. Similarly, some Sims content creators have worried about representation and inclusivity in The Sims 4, with some quitting the EA Creator Network in protest. Analysts have called BioWare's LGBTQ-friendly franchises (Mass Effect and Dragon Age) potential liabilities for EA's new owners, calling the studio and its titles "prime candidates" to be sold off. The acquisition to take Electronic Arts private is expected to close sometime in 2026.
