Organisers of Block The EA Deal Urge CMA and UK Government to Intervene, Warning of Potential Job Losses After the EA Buyout.
A new UK-focused campaign, Block The EA Deal, has launched a public petition and campaign urging the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the UK Government to investigate and intervene in the proposed EA Buyout. Much like its US counterpart, the UK-focused campaign highlights job security, artificial intelligence, and the controversial nature of those seeking to purchase EA for £48bn. The investors of EA consist of the Saudi Arabian ‘Public Investment Fund’, ‘Silver Lake’, and Jared Kushner’s investment firm ‘Affinity Partners’. A video featuring a large group of creators has been posted to launch the UK campaign.
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Block The EA Deal UK Campaign Launch Video
Led by UK-based content creator Steph0Sims, the video features several creators, including Lilsimsie, Plumbella, and EnglishSimmer. The launch video highlights the campaign’s top concerns, including Saudi Arabia’s growing monopolisation of the gaming industry, censorship, cost-cutting, AI implementation, and employee security in the UK. The campaign is urging the public to sign the petition and contact their local Member of Parliament to spread awareness. The aim is to reach the Competition and Markets Authority, a regulatory body with a history of blocking and limiting mergers and acquisitions. You can take a look at the video via Instagram below!
Block The EA Deal – Website
The campaign also has its own website, giving further insight into the biggest concerns the EA buyout raises. On the site, you will find a link to the UK petition and an email draft that you can send to your local MP. Alongside links to the UK petition, the US petition can also be found, with international players able to sign both.
Block The EA Deal – Petition
The petition aimed to force scrutiny on the EA buyout by regulatory bodies has been set up via Change.org, with information outlining why the buyout would be detrimental to UK employees of EA, and the major concern for national security. You can access the petition by clicking the image below:
Who Are the Targets of the Campaign?
As previously mentioned, Block The EA Deal are targeting both the UK Government and the Competition and Markets Authority, but what can they do?
The CMA are a UK based reguatory body, responsible for making sure big companies don’t make deals that harm competition or consumers. In mergers and buyouts, the CMA can investigate whether a deal would give one company too much power, reduce choice, or lead to worse outcomes for workers or customers.
In the Microsoft–Activision Blizzard case, the CMA originally blocked the deal because it believed Microsoft could dominate the emerging cloud‑gaming market. Microsoft was forced to change the structure of the deal, giving up cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft, before the CMA finally approved it.
Why should the UK Government care? The UK Government has a direct interest in large gaming acquisitions because they affect jobs, investment, and competition in one of the country’s fastest‑growing creative sectors. The UK games industry employs more than 75,000 people and contributes billions to the economy, with Electronic Arts employing over 1000 people in the country. Members of Parliament (MPs) have a vested interest in the security and safety of their constituents and have a duty to represent them in the House of Commons.
Have you signed the petition? Let us know in the comments below and stay tuned to Sims Community for all the latest on the EA Buyout!
