I mean…on the surface? I like the idea of such a major publisher going private. EA, like most of the industry, have so focused on ”delivering value to shareholders” and “make line go up”, it has almost put itself into an unsustainable corner. Without that shareholder pressure, part of me feels like it might actually open up the possibility of EA dusting off its highly lucrative and expansive back catalog of properties. Wing Commander, Command and Conquer, Dungeon Keeper, SimCity, Ultima, Dead Space, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, Medal of Honor, Mirror’s Edge, Need for Speed, Road Rash, the Strike Series…And that’s even before you get into the stranglehold EA has on NFL, Football/Soccer, and NHL simulation games.
Many companies would kill for the sort of IP library EA is sitting on. So, going private, might give more incentive to dust some off when they don’t have to meet some arbitrary goal post for the sake of shareholders.
HOWEVER…
It sickens me that all those classic gaming IPs are going to rot in the treasure room of the Saudi prince with input from frickin’ Jared Kushner. Even if EA turns around and starts making solid efforts like they did 20-30 years ago…man it would just chafe my ass to think those monsters were responsible for making that happen.