Glu Mobile CEO Nick Earl, whose studio was acquired by EA in 2021 for $2.1 billion, believes that the publisher's recent $55 billion privatization will give the team more freedom and time to experiment.
Financial analysts called the deal "dubious," but within the company, it is seen as a chance to get rid of the quarterly pressure from investors. After the deal, EA took on $20 billion in debt, but according to Earl, abandoning the status of a public company removes "enormous tension."
"In a public company, there is constant pressure — you need to show results every quarter. And when you can think about prospects for 10 years, it opens the way to more balanced creative decisions", Earl said in an interview with CBS News.
He added that now EA will be able to take on more risks, experiment with new formats and platforms — from mobile games and free-to-play models to streaming on "smart" devices.
Earl called it "a starting point for EA's new growth as a private company." But experts warn: $20 billion in debt could lead to cuts and the freezing of some projects, even despite the opportunities that are opening up.
