EA shareholders have greenlit what could become the largest acquisition in video game history. While Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund moves one step closer to taking control, financial hurdles and national security concerns in the United States remain unresolved.

This year will be remembered for many reasons, but above all for marking the beginning of the largest acquisition the video game industry has ever seen. The proposed $55 billion takeover of Electronic Arts by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) would place the American publisher under the influence of a country that has steadily expanded its footprint in the gaming sector. Despite the sheer scale of the deal, several obstacles remain. Still, a crucial milestone has now been cleared: EA’s shareholders have approved the transaction.

The proposal was endorsed this week during a shareholder vote, clearing the path for the PIF to acquire a controlling stake in the company. If finalized, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund would hold 93.4% of Electronic Arts, while U.S.-based investment firm Silver Lake Partners would retain a 5.5% share.

The agreement now awaits approval from government regulators and would represent a turning point both for the U.S. publisher and for Saudi Arabia’s expanding role in interactive entertainment. However, the PIF faces a major challenge, as questions are increasingly being raised about its liquidity.

As previously reported, the deal would become the largest leveraged buyout ever attempted. At the same time, signs of financial strain are beginning to surface. Although the acquisition fits into the PIF’s broader strategy to diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy and strengthen its global presence in cultural and technological industries, The New York Times has noted that the fund has been running low on cash. While it still controls assets capable of generating substantial liquidity, the enormous cost of the purchase casts doubt on its long-term feasibility.

Regulatory scrutiny is also intensifying. Even as initial feasibility studies continue, several U.S. senators have voiced concerns about potential national security risks and foreign influence that could stem from privatizing a major American technology and entertainment company. In a letter addressed to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, two senators called for a “thorough review” of the deal before any final approval is granted.

Finally, some lawmakers have questioned the true objectives behind the Saudi fund’s investments, suggesting that its high-profile moves into sports, video games, and other cultural sectors may be aimed more at shaping international public opinion than generating direct economic returns. They have also raised concerns about the PIF’s partnership with Affinity Partners, the investment firm founded by Jared Kushner, arguing that the alliance could be designed to smooth the deal’s passage through U.S. regulatory channels.

Source: 3djuegos