Trusted source reports on sentiments inside the EA developer team.
The story about EA’s buyout by private investment from Affinity Partners, Saudi Arabia’s Private Investment Fund and Silver Lake hasn’t just made a stir-up within the community of players and creators.
Trusted gaming journalist Stephen Totilo has wrote an insightful article today about the acquisition for the Game File website. Where they also got a chance to speak anonymously to some of the EA employees and share their concerns about the new acquisition.
Two anonymous employees at EA voiced that they’re very concerned about this acquisiton. One stating that they’re afraid of layoffs that might occur with this buyout, with the other stating that this feels like a big “f you” to all women and LGBTQ+ employees currently working at Electronic Arts.
In his note to workers, Wilson said today that “[o]ur values and our commitment to players and fans around the world remain unchanged.”
That didn’t convince one current EA worker, who told Game File that “Andrew Wilson basically said ‘f you’ to all women and LGBTQ employees at EA with this deal.”
Speaking anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss company matters publicly, they also said: “It just shows how many people have been collateral this past year for executives to make out rich. Nothing feels great. And we know, when the deal closes, it’s going to get worse before it gets better, if better is even possible.”
Said another: “I’m nervous about what this means in terms of workforce once the deal is closed, as layoffs usually follow those type of acquisitions.
“And on a personal level,” the second person added, “those future owners are really not in line with my values and beliefs.”
Source: gamefile.news
CEO of Electronic Arts Andrew Wilson remains hopeful about the future of EA games in his official press release and insider note to employees. However, it seems that EA employees do not share the same sentiment as him.
We’ll be reporting more about the news of this buyout on Sims Community as new information unfolds. Stay tuned.
Thanks to our reader BugFixes for the heads up!
There still are simmers out there downplaying the seriousness of this all. Big youtubers such as James Turner even said they have to wait and see.
That is something I fail to understand. It is well reported that the A.P. company is pro AI, anti LGBTQ+/women rights, … yet we have to wait and see?
No. Even if nothing changes to the game, you’d still be buying from people that let other people get stoned to death for being gay. In what world would any of us even consider to support people like that?!?!? This is already a fact so you don’t need to wait and see if they’re pro these horrible actions cause they already are.
I am not even the slightest bit of being a woke person but actively financially supporting a Saudi Arabian company for my joy and entertainment is not something I will spend my hard earned money on and it honestly bothers me how people fail to see this and would blindly financially support companies/causes like this just cause of their beloved game.
these people live of off making the sims content, they’ll for sure try to create justifications as to why people should continue to support the game and buy content, even if it means putting money directly into anti LGBTQ, women and anti Human Rights hands/companies, i’ve already seen people trying to find an excuse to blame Paralives for using Unity… some Simmers who started playing The Sims in its 4th installment have this pattern of wanting to defend EA and Maxis at all costs, even when it comes with literal living red flags in front of their faces
i hear a lot of people saying this won’t affect representation in the game, let’s suppose nothing changes and representation continues to be in the game, yeah, so what? meanwhile by purchasing DLCs for The Sims you’re literally putting money in the hands of companies who support REAL LIFE issues against representation, it’s EVEN WORSE than outright removing representation from the game, cause at the end of the day, it’s just a game, but when we talk about the background of these companies who now own The Sims, it’s not just a game, it’s real people suffering from regimes that these companies defend, putting money in their hands is literally financing the demise of representation in the real life of a lot of people.
As soon as I saw the news I just burst in to tears. I am concerned with the workers. I am concerned that the game will change, or be left to die.
I’ve played this game since it was released. From Sim City to Sims 1, 2, 3, 4. I am disabled and this game is often the only thing that keeps me going. My Sims game is a wonderful inclusive world. As much as I have always wished disability was presented in the Sims franchise, I have loved that LGBTQ+ was well represented.
This merger, buying out EA and losing another independent companies that was publicly traded creating a larger company buying up all the smaller businesses creating another media monopoly in out country.
I am infinitely disappointed in EA.
you do know you’re risking sharing this information might get someone in trouble, right? these sources could cause their jobs, IF they make it without getting fired, you just risked it for others
I’M STILL PLAYING SIMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!