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The Sims Community Reacts to EA’s $55 Billion Buyout

ea sims buyout fi

The community shares opinions about the big $55 billion buyout by private investors.

The Sims Community already had strong opinions about the potential buyout of Electronic Arts and its catalogue when the news first broke over the weekend. The official press release from today about the $55 billion buyout has sparked additional comments and opinions, both from The Sims community members and video game industry experts.

Gaming Industry Expert Comments on EA Buyout

Even though the CEO of Electronic Arts Andrew Wilson reassured players that things are looking “bright” for the future of EA, gaming industry expert Jason Schreier comments on the potential downside of the buyout. Including the $20 billion debt, which could eventually turn into mass layoffs, more aggressive costs and other big cost-cutting features. Such as the introduction of AI for game development.

A lot of people are (understandably) focused on the Saudi Arabia and Kushner part of this, but the far bigger immediate impact will come from the new private EA being on the hook for $20 billion in debt. That could mean mass layoffs, more aggressive monetization, and other big cost-cutting measures

— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier.bsky.social) September 29, 2025 at 2:52 PM

this feels catastrophic in ways few other big industry deals have

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— Luke Plunkett (@lukeplunkett.com) September 29, 2025 at 2:33 PM

Sims Content Creators Weigh In

Several gaming content creators for The Sims have commented on the acquisition, negatively expressing their concerns about the future of The Sims Franchise.

I am deeply concerned about what this means for myself and others as a sims creator. But my heart also goes to the sims team. I can’t imagine how tough this is especially on a pack launch week. I hope everyone gives each other grace whilst we all learn + figure out what it means in the long-run.

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— RiRi🌸 (@ririthelondoner.bsky.social) September 29, 2025 at 6:24 PM

Popular Sims YouTuber, streamer and creator lilsimsie has released a written statement on her YouTube community page, where she expressed her opinions and concerns about the current buyout.

PIF already owns 10% of EA, and this isn’t the first time they’ve made major investments in gaming. They’re also major investors in Nintendo, Take-Two, Capcom, Ubisoft, etc. but it’s important to note that this is different since it’s a private sale and this investment group will own 100% of the company. My hope is that we won’t actually see too much change with The Sims specifically, but who knows. I’m obviously going to be keeping a close eye on it. This news feels devastating to me, and I know that a lot of you feel the same way.

lilsimsie statement on ea buyout

lilsimsie

The Sims Players Express Their Concerns

While some The Sims players are worried about what the new acquisition could mean for future representation in the game, others are carefully remaining calm. Saying that the new buyers of Electronic Arts are aiming for profit over anything else, the hopes about the future representation of marginalized communities remain somewhat present. The bigger concern from some players is on the monetary side of things, wondering if the game will become even more of a cash cow than it is now.

Meanwhile, some are considering cancelling their Pre-Orders for the upcoming release of Sims 4 Adventure Awaits Expansion Pack. And even retiring from playing the game indefinitely.

insane timing considering a new expansion pack is coming out on thursday… it'll be interested to see if people's statements of boycotting match the sales numbers. this is extremely disappointing news though ugh 😭

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— robbie ⋅⁺⁎ (@twnky.bsky.social) September 29, 2025 at 4:53 PM

If true and completed, after 10K play hours and modding for 5 years, I will be done with Sims 4 and EA.

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— The Two Gees (2Gs) (@thetwogees.bsky.social) September 29, 2025 at 6:45 PM

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Community Poll and Your Thoughts

What do you think about the direction of The Sims Franchise and where the game might be headed with the recent news of the Electronic Arts buyout?

We’ve created a simple (fanmade) community poll down below where you can express your opinions.

Do you think The Sims Franchise is headed for better or for worse with this EA buyout?

Will you be supporting EA and buying new Sims content considering the new ownership / buyout?


For more news about Electronic Arts and The Sims Franchise, stay tuned on Sims Community.

About the author

Jovan

Reticulating splines as a webmaster for Sims Community over the last 12 years. You can find me here writing articles and doing reports on your favorite life sim games, among other things!

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Randy
Randy
20 days ago

I am very happy with this buyout, I will fully support EA, it is a very good thing for a new direction of the sims 4, the investors are already video game professionals with other companies, there have never been any problems, the Saudi fund has already been a shareholder of EA for 2 years, it has always gone well, and you have contributed to enriching it for 2 years, stop your delusional and ridiculous madness with lies that are only cited on this site, the world of gaming is evolving, and this buyout has been welcomed by all the media, stop falling into the drama for so little, EA is evolving and that is very good.

Bugfixes
Bugfixes
20 days ago
Reply to  Randy

Careful what you wish for, even if Maxis survives, they will want these games turned into gatcha microtransaction hellscapes which to be fair the sims is in the process of becoming one.

Ugh sad sad day for gaming.

CuriousSimmer
CuriousSimmer
10 days ago
Reply to  Bugfixes

There’s already “microtransactions” in The Sims 4. What do you think Kits are? Are we playing the same game? LOL.

SS anon
SS anon
20 days ago
Reply to  Randy

Lmfao

boop
boop
20 days ago
Reply to  Randy

well i guess we found the damage control bot sent by ea

Randy
Randy
19 days ago
Reply to  boop

No, but we have to stop the madness there, it’s not a political purchase, these investors are very established in many companies, many of which are in sports games, EA interests them mainly for that, it makes more money for EA, more budget, and more creative freedom without pressure to give back to shareholders, because yes, today they make sloppy sims 4 because they are pressed for time and the low budget, to believe that they are going to make anti lgbt propaganda, it’s stupid, it will have no impact on the real content, removing gay love functions would cost them too much, and they won’t do it, what they see is profit, the sims are profitable, it would demolish all the bases of the game and I’m not even talking about all the functions on the dlc like lovestruck; and would make it unplayable anyway, on the other hand, there may be microtransactions, or subscription systems later, yes, but I would say that in any case EA was already in this desire since the rene project, so we stop panicking. The future will not be darker than it is now, there could even be good surprises with more creativity and more accomplished DLC, look at the state of the game today, buggy everywhere, lots of incomplete DLC that are not worth their price, if EA sold it is because it is good for them, they know very well that the sims are open and that investors bought knowingly, no matter the profile, they are businessmen, they are not going to revolutionize the world with the sims, we must stop the delirium, but it is not really this game that interests them but those on sport, EA will continue to do its job, and they will pocket the profits, it is a ridiculous controversy, I bet you that EA will make a statement saying that nothing changes and that will calm everyone down.

frass44
frass44
13 days ago
Reply to  Randy

Careful what you wish for, even if Maxis survives, they will want these games turned into gatcha microtransaction hellscapes which to be fair the sims is in the process of becoming one.
Ugh sad sad day for gaming.

cam
cam
14 days ago
Reply to  Randy

Durrrr

Saul
Saul
20 days ago

Maybe this is a wake up call to those of you who thought “the world is just too much let me just game and detach for a while”. You’re not safe either. Now’s the time for you to start holding companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft, etc accountable. A lot of you seem to forget you support Amazon. Twitch is directly linked to Amazon. Streamers have no issue with having their names tied to corrupt entities like this until it effects them directly. You’re part of the world too so instead of trying to centre yourself and self-care your way through the shitstorm realize your own accountability too. A lot of you have already placed a pre-order for the upcoming pack. A lot of you WILL purchase the new pack because you can’t resist. Let this poll actually mean something and not just here in the moment but tomorrow you’re back in your game in your lalaland. Use your voice now, stay informed and take action.

Jillian
Jillian
20 days ago

Gamers in an apocalypse be like bRo LEavE PoLiTiCssSs OuTttt oFfff GaAaMmmmIiiiInng… LaTelLllyyy IvvvE BeEeeeEn WooRrkinG ooN MyYYy 8 HhhOuurrrR 40 STttep seEElllFf CaaRrrEe rOuTine…

Joey
Joey
20 days ago

we had a good run fam

Bugfixes
Bugfixes
20 days ago

With 20 billion in debt they are going to cut and milk every last resource, private equity involvement is a recipe for disaster.

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Blondeleo
Blondeleo
19 days ago
Reply to  Bugfixes

EXACTLY THIS. For those looking on a succinct (and terrifying) rundown of private equity (of which this buyout is a perfect example) the Stuff You Should Know team just did a great podcast episode about it.

Anm
Anm
20 days ago

Fellow Americans, Jared Kushner is related to the president DJT and not only holds the same views but your dollar will go to directly benefitting him and that family. The Saudi involvement is surprisingly less worrisome when you take in the last eight months of bulldozing free speech and rewriting civil liberties here. Even if nothing changes and we continue to get subpar DLC and infinite glitches and bugs, every purchase will go to a family that thinks there are people who are less worthy than others, that cancer research isn’t worth it, that cut healthcare for millions without a second thought and continues to lie about it in their BBB. I’m not trying to sway you as that doesn’t work, just remember your dollar has power so consider who you’re giving that to.

Brit
Brit
20 days ago

I feel bad for Paralives. Any time there’s controversy people bring up Paralives and it’s not even out yet. It’s a lot of pressure and expectation for the Paralives team to deliver. Should they not do that great on release they’re going to be met with unnecessary hate just because are expecting this new game to deliver in multiple ways. Not just gameplay, not just having to be compared to The Sims 4 and Inzoi but politically speaking as well.

Randy
Randy
20 days ago
Reply to  Brit

Paralives is very small, very low budget, they will never be able to compete with the sims 4, and I doubt that players will be satisfied with so little content for several years. It will surely be a good game, but for a short time.

Edson
Edson
20 days ago

doesn’t matter if they remove LGBTQ representation… there’s something worse than that… all the money from the sims going to a government that actually censors women, journalists, k*ll LGBTQ people, this is the real problem, it’s not just about representation, it’s about real life issues that we as a community will be financing by continuing to purchase content for the game.

=Shadow=
=Shadow=
20 days ago
Reply to  Edson

É o que eu penso, mas para muitos aqui e no próprio instagram do TheSims, parecem viver uma realidade paralela. Uma pena as pessoas serem desunidas assim. Pensam apenas no próprio umbigo.

Ellie
Ellie
17 days ago
Reply to  Edson

Exactly. This is the real world we’re talking about here. Not just the Sims.

Darkening Demise
Darkening Demise
20 days ago

Paralives can’t come out soon enough at this rate. Hopefully it’ll spark more Life Sims too.

Haname
Haname
20 days ago

I’m sure everyone who voted no to that last poll will still happily eat up every piece of dlc that’s released. YouTubers and Streamers will continue to support it because without it they won’t have a job or the following they so crave. They’ll condemn it, dust off their hands, then keep playing and eating up all the low effort game content milked out. That’s what’ll happen on this site too.

Randy
Randy
20 days ago
Reply to  Haname

You are so right, if simscommunity went through with its criticisms, they would announce that they would close the site in 2027, because I doubt they would go very far with just inzoi and paralives, but they will not do it, they will continue to do what they do today, as if nothing had happened, and the players will do the same, they will never be able to do without the sims 4.

Ellie
Ellie
17 days ago
Reply to  Haname

I’ll happily continue playing my current game, but I’m done buying. Some of us actually have a conscience and care more about the real life consequences of what these vultures do than about buying more DLCs.

Stephaine
Stephaine
20 days ago

I don’t play sims 4 I like sims 3 I hope I can get the rest of the packs I have not gotten. I started playing the original sims then sims 2 and sims 3. I have sims 4 I do not like 4 so have not bought any add ons for sims 4.

Lisa955
Lisa955
19 days ago

I’m planning on buying all of the packs and kits on both consoles and then probably being offline whenever I play its a shame but I can’t risk my saves, I love my generational households and can’t risk them when im not home enough to play, which is even more devastating when I heard this when im not even able to play the game constantly as I want, it’s even more devastating hearing the use of AI and one of the buyers being related to Trump. Especially with the simple fact the freedom the sims has in general but also so many of us playing the sims as a means to escape the actual hell going on rightnow in the world. I’ll try to keep up with creators and their opinions and hope for the best for the sims, good luck to everyone.

ammoyouns
ammoyouns
19 days ago

Million People will buy Paralive game then Paralive will more rise company.

cam
cam
14 days ago

There goes all representation of lgbtq and women. And maybe blacks and Asians too. Get ready. Remember that was just bought by Saudis and JARED KUSHNER. Look up who that is and who he’s connected to. Good luck. Turn off auto updates and stop buying.

Jared kushner is Donald Trump’s son in law and has the exact same views trump has. Jared kushner is the one who owns the company that just purchased part of ea, along with the Saudis. Keep that in mind.

Last edited 14 days ago by cam
CuriousSimmer
CuriousSimmer
10 days ago

LOL, this is a MASSIVE overreaction.