A huge controversy has erupted in Washington after news broke that Electronic Arts (EA) — the publisher behind FIFA, Battlefield, and The Sims — is being sold to a Saudi-led investment group. The $55 billion deal, announced in late September, would hand control of one of the biggest names in gaming to Saudi Arabia’s Sovereign Investment Fund (SSF). That’s sparked strong reactions from U.S. lawmakers, who say the sale could put national security and user data at risk. In a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Senators Elizabeth Warren and Scott Bessent (who just happen to share a last name) warned that the Saudi fund acts as a strategic arm of the government in Riyadh. They argue that owning EA would give Saudi Arabia influence over both data and culture — two powerful levers in modern society. The senators pointed out that the $55 billion offer is more than $10 billion above EA’s current market value, suggesting the deal isn’t purely financial.

The situation is made even more controversial by the involvement of Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law and founder of Affinity Partners, one of the firms backing the purchase. Warren and Bessent say Kushner’s presence could pressure regulators to approve the deal for political reasons. Their letter bluntly asks: “What regulator would dare say no to the president’s son-in-law?” They describe the move as part of what they call a growing “monetization of federal power.”

Beyond politics, the senators are worried about what this means for millions of EA players in the U.S. They say that Saudi control could expose sensitive user data and potentially allow subtle manipulation of game content. Games aren’t just entertainment anymore — they’re cultural exports, shaping how people think about history, values, and even national identity. If a foreign government controlled that content, the implications could go far beyond business. The broader backdrop here is a rise in tension between the U.S. and China and growing scrutiny of foreign investment in American tech and media. Just as lawmakers have raised alarms about TikTok and Huawei, they now see EA as another potential channel for outside influence. If approved, the sale would mark one of the biggest foreign takeovers in gaming history. The Treasury Department hasn’t said yet whether it will ask CFIUS to investigate, but pressure from Capitol Hill is mounting fast.


For now, the EA deal stands at the crossroads of politics, money, and culture — a reminder that in 2025, video games are as much about power as they are about play.

Are they going seize with force?