Saudi Arabia’s EGDC Raises Ownership Stake in SNK, Now Owns 6.04 Percent

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Investment firms in Saudi Arabia are increasingly investing in the gaming industry. Recently, Electronic Gaming Development Company (EGDC) increased its ownership in SNK, the company behind the Fatal Fury series, from 5.03% to 6.04%. This was reported in a filing with the Kanto Local Finance Bureau, and means EGDC now holds 32.18 million SNK shares.

SNK partnered with EGDC in November 2020, giving the investment firm majority ownership. EGDC is owned by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. EGDC has stated that its ownership in SNK is simply a financial investment.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) recently made a major investment by partnering with Affinity Partners and Silver Lake to buy Electronic Arts (EA) for approximately $55 billion. The deal is a complete purchase using cash, and EA shareholders will receive $210 per share.

When the deal was announced, EA CEO Andrew Wilson praised the company’s teams, saying their creativity and dedication have given hundreds of millions of fans amazing experiences, built globally recognized brands, and driven significant business growth. He called this a well-deserved recognition of their exceptional work.

We’re excited to keep innovating in entertainment, sports, and technology, finding new ways to connect with audiences. By working with our partners, we aim to create truly memorable experiences that will inspire people for years to come. I’m incredibly optimistic about what we’re building together.

Egon Durban, a managing partner and co-CEO at Silver Lake, expressed his approval of the agreement, highlighting the successful leadership of EA’s current CEO, Andrew Wilson. He also commended the company’s overall performance, particularly its recent increase in profits.

This investment reflects Silver Lake’s strategy of working with strong leaders at top-tier companies. Electronic Arts is a standout company – a world leader in gaming, particularly known for its popular sports titles, and is currently experiencing rapid revenue growth and increasing profitability. We’re excited to invest alongside Andrew, a remarkable CEO who has significantly improved the company’s performance during his time, doubling revenue, nearly tripling earnings, and increasing its market value five times over, said Durban.

This acquisition is expected to be significant, but faces several hurdles. Notably, some US Congress members have asked the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to carefully examine the deal. In a letter to the FTC, these lawmakers expressed concerns about the proposed purchase of Electronic Arts (EA) by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), along with Silver Lake and Affinity Partners. They emphasized their commitment to protecting American jobs and maintaining a competitive labor market, and requested a thorough review of the transaction due to its potential impact on workers, market concentration, and the future of the US video game industry.

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2026-04-06 16:11