The gaming world is trying to figure out exactly what will happen after EA has gone private in a $55 billion sale. At least one analyst thinks the move could spur the kind of innovation EA hasn't seen in a long, long time.
Wedbush Morgan Securities Analyst Michael Pachter told Kotaku the deal could help EA in some spaces it has struggled to make ground in.
“EA has been challenged to innovate in the last decade,” Pachter said. "Several franchises have faded (Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Burnout, NFS), some failed (Anthem), and only a handful continue to produce. They suck at mobile and appear too focused on pleasing investors and not focused enough on pleasing gamers. I think the Saudis have the potential to jump-start mobile and to try innovative moves like making Ultimate Team free.”
What has happened to Bioware is criminal, but its games are known for delivering queer experiences in a space that doesn't see many. Fans of Dragon Age have concerns about what might happen to the franchise under Saudi Arabian ownership. Of course, with the last Dragon Age not meeting the sales expectations EA had, there was precious little of Bioware left anyway.
The most valuable assets in EA's portfolio right now are its lucrative sports licenses and their Ultimate Team components. Other Saudi gaming acquisitions include Pokémon Go maker Niantic and Scopely, publisher of Monopoly Go., but this is by far the biggest.
We'll keep you posted on this developing story, and hope that it doesn't involve the layoffs that often come with these huge deals.