(NewsNation) — EA has reported a 13% dip in overall sales of $1.81 billion despite significant gains in its Madden NFL and Sports FC franchises, according to multiple reports.
EA says it won’t be hosting earnings calls going forward after the video games giant announced it would be entering an agreement to be acquired by a consortium including Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners. This is the largest all-cash buyout in history to take a public company private.
Meanwhile, some of the top The Sims content creators are quitting EA’s Creator Network in protest of the buyout. IGN says some creators fear that documented conservative values of EA’s buyers — including President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud — will impact the game’s development of striving to become a welcoming and inclusive community.
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According to IGN, Streamer Kayla “Lilsimsie” Sims, who has over 2 million subscribers and has worked with EA in the past to develop extension packs for The Sims, said news of the sale “devastated” her and that she has decided to removed herself from the EA Creator Network in hopes of putting pressure on EA leadership to reconsider the long-term impact of the sale.
Jesse “Plumbella” McNamara, DevonBumpkin, Vixella,and James Turner have also quit EA’s Creator Network for the same reason.
EA has issued a statement on their official The Sims social media accounts, saying, “we deeply respect that everyone experiences The Sims in their own way and will make choices that are right for them. However you choose to play, create, or share, we’re grateful to be part of your journey. Our mission, values, and commitment remain the same. The Sims will always be a space where you can express your authentic self.”
