Saudi Arabia’s $55B gaming bet: why it bought EA
Saudi Arabia has bought football clubs, hosted some of the world’s biggest sporting events — and now, it’s taking its ambitions into the virtual world. A Saudi-led group has completed its 55-billion-dollar takeover of Electronic…
Assessment
A Saudi-led group has spent $55 billion to acquire Electronic Arts, the second-largest gaming acquisition ever. The move extends a pattern of using sports and entertainment to reshape the kingdom's economy. The risk is a consumer backlash: some gamers are already angry, and that sentiment could hurt the very industry Riyadh is betting on.