- Image of EA FC 26 courtesy of EA Sports 26 and EA Sports

EA Buyout Buzz: Will Going Private Kill Microtransactions or Fuel Them?

Originally posted on Total Apex Gaming | By Mollie Dominy | Last updated Sep 26, 2025 4:22 PM ET

Never thought we would ever read the words EA buyout! According to reports from the Wall Street Journal, EA is deep in negotiations with some serious heavy hitters. We’re talking Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and Silver Lake—the kind of investors who don’t mess around with pocket change. This private deal could be announced as early as next week, and honestly? The gaming community is buzzing harder than a console fan on overdrive.

The stock market certainly got the memo! EA’s shares jumped a whopping 15% when this news broke. That’s the kind of reaction you get when people realize something massive is about to shake up the industry.

Why Does This EA Buyout Matter So Much?

Here’s where things get really interesting (and slightly terrifying, depending on how you look at it). If this EA buyout actually happens, it would smash the previous record held by TXU Energy’s $45 billion deal back in 2007. We’re talking about the company behind The Sims, Madden NFL, and FIFA (now FC)—games that pretty much live rent-free in millions of gamers’ heads worldwide.

But what does going private actually mean for us gamers? Well, when a company goes private, they’re no longer beholden to public shareholders demanding quarterly profits. Sometimes this leads to more creative freedom and long-term thinking. Other times… well, let’s just say the gaming industry has seen its fair share of corporate shenanigans.

The Gaming Industry’s Reaction to EA Going Private

Image from Madden 26 courtesy of EA Sports

The gaming community’s response has been, predictably, a mixed bag of excitement and skepticism. Some players are wondering if this could mean fewer microtransactions and more focus on actual game quality. Others are worried about what happens when a gaming giant gets even more corporate backing.

What we do know is that this EA deal represents something bigger than just one company changing hands. It’s a sign that the gaming industry has become such a financial powerhouse that it’s attracting the attention of the world’s biggest investment funds.

What This Means for EA’s Future

Whether this private buyout goes through or not, one thing’s crystal clear—EA isn’t going anywhere. The company has been riding high with a 32% stock increase this year, and they’re sitting pretty with some of the most recognizable franchises in gaming.

Will going private help EA make better games? Will we finally get that single-player experience we’ve all been craving? Or will this just be another corporate shuffle that doesn’t change much for us players? Only time will tell, but you can bet the entire gaming industry will be watching this unfold with popcorn in hand.

The gaming world never fails to surprise us, does it?

This article first appeared on Total Apex Gaming and was syndicated with permission.

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