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EA Sports FC 27 is getting a new NBA 2k-style open world mode called 'The Grounds' EA Sports FC 27 launches September 25 on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2. Photo Credit: EA The Grounds mode will feature several minigames and activities Highlights * EA Sports FC 27 is currently available to pre-order * Pre-ordering Ultimate, Ultimate Plus editions grants 7-day early access * EA Sports FC 27's The Grounds mode will feature three districts EA Sports FC 27, the next football simulation title from Electronic Arts, is set to get an open-world mode where up to 100 players can join a shared lobby. EA detailed "The Grounds" mode on Tuesday, promising the "most social" way to play the football title. The open-world social hub will only be available on PC and current-generation consoles, and will include minigames and smaller football matches that players online can take part in. EA shared a deep dive into EA Sports FC 27's The Grounds, confirming the features coming to the open-world mode at launch. The developer called the mode a "social playground" where players can take part in activities with friends and other players online. The Grounds, which seems to be inspired by NBA 2K's The City and WWE 2K's The Island modes, will support up to 100 players, EA confirmed in a post on the FC 27 website. The mode will feature small-sided football matches, kickabouts in the park, football mentors, and more. Mentors will guide players through everything The Grounds has to offer. In addition to professional players like Kylian Mbappe, Paulo Dybala, Chloe Kelly, who will each specialise in one of the three districts, fictional player Alex Hunter from The Journey mode in previous EA Sports FC games will return as a mentor. EA Sports FC 27 The Grounds features. The open-world hub in the mode will feature a central Terrace area connecting three distinct districts: Montclair, Zeiza, and Parkside, inspired by football cultures of France, Argentina, and England, respectively. The mode will also include Clubhouse, which now houses EA Sports FC's Clubs experience. The Grounds will feature dedicated experiences for both 11v11 and 5v5 Rush matches. Additionally, players will be able to take part in three-minute small-sided 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 matches on a host of different pitches in the mode. The open-world mode will include football minigames and activities like Kickabouts, which mixes football with sports like dodgeball, basketball, and bocce ball. These activities will be available as three-player free-for-all matches played across three one-minute rounds. The world map of The Grounds mode Photo Credit: EA Other games include Team Keepaway, The Big Race, Attacking Scenarios, Bucket Ball, Balloon Ball, and Goal Control. Each of these activities features mini-game style scenarios and supports a different number of players. The Big Race, for instance, is a Fall Guys-style four-player free-for-all activity set across a full-sized pitch where players compete in three races with different obstacles. The Grounds will feature player customisation options, emotes, and in-game stores, bringing yet another layer of monetisation to EA Sports FC. The open-world mode will also be tied to the Season Pass, with the paid Premium tier offering more rewards. Additionally, EA has said The Grounds mode will be evolved constantly through live-service updates and in-world events. The mode will be availble to players on PC, PS5, Xbox Series S/X, and Switch 2. PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch players will not have access to the mode. EA Sports FC 27 launches globally on September 25, 2026, across PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2. The game will be available in Ultimate Plus, Ultimate, and Standard editions; Pre-ordering the Ultimate Plus or Ultimate edition will grant players seven-day early access and additional in-game bonuses. FC 27 is currently up for pre-order across Steam, Epic Games Store, EA app for Windows, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Store. * KEY SPECS * NEWS Genre Sports Platform PlayStation 5 (PS5), Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, PC: Windows Modes Single-player, Multiplayer Series EA Sports FC PEGI Rating 3+

5 August 2026 By Maddie Agne Assassin's Creed veteran returns to Ubisoft after EA stint. In brief: * Eric Baptizat is returning to Ubisoft as the new Assassin's Creed Game Director * Baptizat previously worked on the Assassin's Creed franchise for 16 years before a five-year stint at Electronic Arts' Motive Studio * Baptizat's return comes after former Assassin's Creed 'Codename Hexe' Game Director Benoit Richer left Ubisoft Former Assassin's Creed game director Eric Baptizat is returning to the franchise after a five-year stint at Electronic Arts' (EA) Motive Studio. Baptizat joined Ubisoft in 2005, where he worked for almost 16 years as the Lead Designer on Assassin's Creed Black Flag and Origins, and as the Game Director for Assassin's Creed Valhalla. He moved on to Motive in 2021, serving as the Game Director on the Dead Space remake and Battlefield 6. Assassin's Creed Head of Content Jean Guesdon announced Baptizat's return to the franchise on LinkedIn, writing that he was returning as the brand's new Game Director. "Eric needs no introduction in this universe. 16 years at Ubisoft, key contributions to Black Flag, Origins, and Valhalla as Game Director, his passion for gameplay craft and his deep connection to this franchise speak for themselves," Guesdon wrote. "Seeing someone with his expertise, his rigour, and his collaborative spirit step into this role fills me with confidence and, honestly, a lot of excitement for what's ahead for the brand. Welcome back, Eric. We're so glad to have you home." Guesdon did not clarify what projects Baptizat will be working on, but he did confirm in a March 2026 blog post that 'Codename Hexe' would be the next major game launch in the series. Baptizat's return to the franchise also comes after previous Hexe Game Director Benoit Richer left Ubisoft in April 2026. In February 2026, former Hexe Creative Director Clint Hocking also left the studio, with Guesdon stepping into the role. Image Courtesy of Ubisoft Montréal

Home > news > Electronic Arts Completes $55 Billion Private Acquisition. 5 August 2026 By Edmond Tran Electronic Arts Completes $55 Billion Private Acquisition by Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund In brief: * EA has officially announced the completion of its US $55 billion private acquisition by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners * The deal is considered to be the largest leveraged buyout in history, and appeared to pass global regulatory scrutiny without issue * Previous reporting has suggested that the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund will own 93.4% of EA, while Silver Lake would own 5.5%, and Affinity Partners 1.1% Electronic Arts (EA) has officially announced the completion of its US $55 billion private acquisition by a consortium that includes the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), and investment firms Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. The deal, first announced in September 2025, is considered the largest leveraged buyout in history. It appeared to pass both shareholder and global regulatory scrutiny without issue, and US $20 billion of the purchase price will be covered by loans. Previous reporting had suggested that Saudi Arabia's PIF would own 93.4% of the company, while Silver Lake would own 5.5%, and Affinity Partners 1.1%. In prepared statements, EA CEO Andrew Wilson remarked, "We're entering this next chapter from a position of strength with partners who share our vision and ambition. Together, we'll invest boldly, accelerate innovation, and build the next generation of games and experiences for the hundreds of millions of players and fans who inspire us every day." Turqi Alnowaiser, Deputy Governor of PIF, said: "Having been a minority investor in the company for more than five years, we have a deep understanding of EA's unique platform, massive global sports and gaming franchises, and iconic IP." The organisation had previously invested US $5.2 billion into the company prior to the acquisition. Jared Kushner, son-in-law to current US President Donald Trump and CEO of Affinity Partners said "We're excited to support the company as it continues to reach new audiences, inspire the next generation of creators, and expand the ways people around the world connect through play." CEO of Silver Lake Egon Durban said it was "proud" to "invest heavily in EA's growth, including what AI can do to enhance game development and player experience." A previous report from the Financial Times suggested that the investors would look to generative AI for cost-cutting measures. The publisher has reportedly been pushing its employees to use genAI for "just about everything" according to a Business Insider report. Ahead of the acquisition's announcement, EA has laid off a reported 300-400 workers, closed internal studio Cliffhanger Games, and significantly downsized BioWare following a weak launch of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, among other cuts. In the time between the announcement and completion of the acquisition, EA made a significant number of layoffs within Battlefield Studios, despite a record year for the franchise. It continued to advance its use of generative AI more visibly within its games, and announced new in-game advertising initiatives. "This moment recognizes the extraordinary people whose creativity, ambition and passion have made EA one of the world's leading interactive entertainment companies," said Wilson of the acquisition. A recent 10-K report for EA indicated that Wilson received total annual compensation worth US $38,649,984 during the 2026 fiscal year, while the median employee received US $126,612, a noted ratio of 305 to 1. The Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund notably already holds a variety of stakes in the videogame sector, including investments in Take-Two, Activision Blizzard, Capcom, Nexon, and Nintendo. It was also notable for backing out of a reported US $2 billion deal with Embracer Group, resulting in the latter party having to make substantial cuts to its business. The Public Investment Fund still holds a stake in the company. PIF also owns esports organiser ESL, as well as mobile publisher Scopely, which holds properties such as Pokémon Go! following a US $3.5 billion deal. The New York Times frames the EA buyout as one largely driven by the personal interests of the Saudi Prince Mohammed Salman. For more on Saudi Arabia's interests in the videogame sector, you may benefit from reading Behind Saudi Arabia's Big Bets on the Videogame Industry. This Week in Videogames is funded entirely by readers, which lets This Week in Video Games resist advertising and commercial interests. Become a paid supporter today and get access to original feature articles, comments, a community Discord, newsletters, and more while backing truly independent games coverage. Image courtesy of Electronic Arts Want to join the discussion? Commenting is a benefit for Supporters and Benefactors. Most Voted Discover More News