Gamers Stage Protest Outside EA Headquarters Against Saudi Takeover Attempt

Last week, there was a buzz about a “raid” at the Electronic Arts headquarters in Redwood City, driven by a coalition of passionate gamers and the Players Alliance, a group advocating against corporate greed in the gaming world. We decided to hold off on any preemptive coverage and see how things unfolded on the day itself. On May 11, the group gathered and livestreamed their demonstration, which turned out to be more of a peaceful assembly of concerned individuals wielding humorous signs than an actual raid.

The protest was broadcast on a Twitch channel and aimed to highlight issues such as EA’s recent layoffs, the rise of in-game microtransactions, and a $55 billion buyout by Saudi Arabia that’s set to finalize this summer. A standout feature of the protest was a massive 50-foot banner covered in signatures from over 70,000 petitioners opposing the acquisition and expressing their discontent with EA’s current direction.

“Here we are at what was once a great American company,” the streamer remarked. “EA, man. They started as the Electronic Artists. They didn’t want to be just currency machines. They aimed to create art. They even put it in their name. Art. The Electronic Artists wanted to evoke feelings through their work. But let’s be real, that hasn’t gone as planned, has it? Do you feel like you’re surrounded by artists right now? No. Does this look like a creative studio to you? No. It’s just another business trying to monetize what you love.”

The demonstration featured fans sporting Sims-style plumbobs and holding signs with messages like “devs & players over investors” and “no DLC for corporate greed.” They also displayed cutouts of notable figures such as EA CEO Andrew Wilson, Jared Kushner, whose private equity group is involved in the buyout, and Saudi Arabian Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, complete with heart-shaped health bars above them, likening them to boss battles.

As the protest wrapped up, the group encouraged viewers to reach out to their local legislators and advocate against the buyout. While their message was passionate, the protestors maintained a respectful demeanor and didn’t create any disturbances for the EA security personnel stationed behind metal barriers. The Saudi buyout was first announced last September and faced immediate backlash from the gaming community, with concerns about its potential impact on the content of inclusive games like Mass Effect and The Sims, as well as reactions from American politicians. Shareholders approved the buyout in December.

The Saudi government has been criticized for its strategy of acquiring stakes in the gaming industry to enhance its public image, whether through purchasing companies, sponsoring long-standing community events, or attempting to establish competitive tournaments abroad.