Electronic Arts (EA), one of the biggest publishers in the video game business, is reportedly in talks to go private, a move that analysts say could signal broader challenges for the industry.
According to Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier, the reported buyout discussions reflect a growing wave of industry consolidation and uncertainty about the future of gaming. After a decade of rapid growth through the 2010s and pandemic-driven surges, many players today are sticking with existing favorites rather than investing in new titles.
That trend is visible in EA’s own financials. For fiscal year 2025, 75% of the company’s revenue came from live services such as FIFA Ultimate Team and Apex Legends, rather than new game sales.
“We’re moving away from an era of breaking new ideas to people settling into the same games, spending money over and over again,” Nicholas Lovell, analyst and Spilt Milk Studios co-founder, told Bloomberg.
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Lovell suggested that EA executives may see the rumored $50 billion price tag as a potential peak valuation before the industry shifts into a phase where profits remain high but overall company valuations begin to decline.
