EA's acquisition by Saudi Arabia raises staff concerns over cultural values, layoffs, and project greenlighting.
EA’s Saudi Takeover Raises Concerns
The biggest story today revolves around Electronic Arts (EA), which has recently undergone a significant change in ownership. According to Rock Paper Shotgun, EA has been taken over by the Saudi Arabian government and private investments backed by Jared Kushner. This shift in ownership has stirred unease among EA staff who are worried about potential layoffs and the direction in which the company’s values might shift. There are fears that game series may be sold off and that the new owners’ values might influence future project approvals. Staff feel these worries haven’t been adequately addressed by EA’s management so far.
Terraria’s Surprise Update
In more gameplay-focused news, Terraria has just released a surprise update labeled 1.4.5.7, noted by PCGamesN as a substantial overhaul with dozens of new items added. This update is described as potentially the last hotfix for the “Bigger and Boulder” update unless critical fixes are necessary in the future. The patch adds more content and refinements for players who can’t seem to get enough of Re-Logic’s long-running sandbox game.
Sam Barlow’s New Sci-Fi Project
The creator of acclaimed interactive titles like ‘Her Story’ and ‘Immortality,’ Sam Barlow, is back with a new venture: a live-action sci-fi horror game titled ‘PRECOGNITION.’ According to GamingOnLinux, Barlow’s new project continues his tradition of weaving intricate, narrative-driven experiences, this time with the added twist of live-action sequences.
Early Success for Sandustry
GamingOnLinux reports an early commercial victory for the recently released game Sandustry. Published by Hooded Horse, the game has already exceeded 100,000 sales in just a week. This success reflects strong interest and engagement despite its recent entry into the market. An early multiplayer mod has also been released, expanding playability and community involvement.
New Projects and Updates
- Gorilla Tag Contagion: A spin-off of the popular VR game Gorilla Tag, this new co-op survival roguelite experience is coming in 2027, according to GamingOnLinux.
- Corsair Cove: A Hooded Horse city builder where logistical strategy takes center stage in a pirate-infused world, as detailed by Rock Paper Shotgun.
- Fortnite: The latest season, Chapter 7 Season 4, continues the trend of adding new crossovers and features. Notably, it introduces “Fortnite hack lobby codes” that allow players to receive free in-game items, documented by PCGamesN.
While not all outlets provide comprehensive detail about each development, these updates capture the current momentum and shifts within the PC gaming landscape. From major acquisitions to surprise patches and promising new releases, there’s plenty to keep an eye on.
