Video game giant Electronic Arts (EA) has agreed to a US$55 billion (A$83 billion) takeover – the largest leveraged buyout in history.

The deal will see EA, publisher of games including The Sims, Madden NFL and EA Sports FC, taken private by a consortium led by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), US private equity group Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, the firm headed by Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US president Donald Trump.

Shareholders will receive $210 per share, a 25% premium on EA’s market value.

The California-based EA has been a fixture of the gaming world for more than four decades. Its football series alone has sold over 325 million copies, while The Sims has shifted more than 200 million.

EA CEO Andrew Wilson, who will remain in charge, called the deal a “powerful recognition” of EA’s legacy and potential.

But industry analysts warn the massive financing structure could reshape the company.

Roughly US$20 billion of debt is being used to fund the takeover, sparking fears of cost-cutting and further job losses.

EA has already shed hundreds of staff this year, following similar moves across the industry.

The acquisition continues Saudi Arabia’s heavy push into gaming and esports. Through its gaming arm Savvy Games Group, PIF has already bought Pokémon Go maker Niantic’s games division and mobile publisher Scopely, while hosting high-profile events such as the Esports World Cup.

This is the second-largest gaming takeover ever, behind Microsoft’s $69bn purchase of Activision Blizzard in 2023 – a deal that faced lengthy regulatory scrutiny.

While EA’s buyout may raise fewer competition concerns, critics point to Saudi Arabia’s growing influence over global entertainment and its human rights record.

The transaction is expected to close in early 2026, pending shareholder approval. If successful, it would mark the end of EA’s 36-year run as a publicly traded company.