Live data from Hacker News

Reports: EA set to be sold to private investors for up to $50B

arstechnica.com

41–50 of 69 posts

Re: Reports: EA set to be sold to private investors for up to $50B

#41
post #40

What this shows quite clearly is that petrostates have too much money and power. Its astonishing how many crucial sectors of the American economy have significant Gulf investment; and may soon be completely controlled by them. The only rational way I see out of this is to move to Renewable energy and eliminate the worlds dependence on fossil fuels.

_the worlds_ being the key term here, aren’t they probably fueling their own region (Africa, Middle East, South Asia)

Re: Reports: EA set to be sold to private investors for up to $50B

#43

So will this make EA less evil or more? They have shepherded so many great IPs, but also have been on the forefront of sleaze practices. There has to be plenty of money just squeezing those IPs or using the talent in making new things, but I have the feeling that we are going to see more of the same thing with super micro transactions.

I don’t think I have ever seen private equity actually improve a company. Have there been any examples?

Re: Reports: EA set to be sold to private investors for up to $50B

#45
post #3

Some EA IP I remember Battlefield Mass effect Dragon age Madden The sims Titanfall

Dead Space was an amazing Action/Horror trilogy that had a brief comeback two years ago with a remake of the first game that was superb but apparently underperformed sales wise. The studio that worked on that remake (EA Motive) is still around and working on projects so there’s still some hope of a Dead Space 2 Remake.

Re: Reports: EA set to be sold to private investors for up to $50B

#46

So will this make EA less evil or more? They have shepherded so many great IPs, but also have been on the forefront of sleaze practices. There has to be plenty of money just squeezing those IPs or using the talent in making new things, but I have the feeling that we are going to see more of the same thing with super micro transactions.

I don’t think I have ever seen private equity actually improve a company. Have there been any examples?

i dont know what aspect of "improve" you meant, but dell's private equity take over is very profitable : https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoinegara/2021/04/18/how-wall...

Re: Reports: EA set to be sold to private investors for up to $50B

#47
post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They generally pay a premium to the stock price before the transaction is announced, which means shareholders get more than the market value of their investment, which they can immediately roll into other investments. Usually people don't mind getting paid extra.

Yes but they also lose any potential gains in value after the transaction. Not being able to participate in a private company’s growth is something I find pretty annoying. For myself but also for society.

> lose any potential gains in value after the transaction.

the premium paid over the market price takes that into account.

Re: Reports: EA set to be sold to private investors for up to $50B

#48

So will this make EA less evil or more? They have shepherded so many great IPs, but also have been on the forefront of sleaze practices. There has to be plenty of money just squeezing those IPs or using the talent in making new things, but I have the feeling that we are going to see more of the same thing with super micro transactions.

I don’t think I have ever seen private equity actually improve a company. Have there been any examples?

[deleted]

Re: Reports: EA set to be sold to private investors for up to $50B

#49
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Immediate 20-30% jump in stock price if shareholders approve and can reinvest anywhere else. With a huge one day gain. In some cases, preferred shareholders get even sweeter deals. If you’re an executive or board member with a tons of shares you make millions and can retire immediately (or at least after the transition you agree to is complete.)

"Immediate 20-30% jump in stock price" is not wrong, but it is clearer to say that for the acquisition to succeed, usually the acquirer must pay a 20-30% premium.

20-30% premium even over the fictional mark-to-market stock price. If all that were to hit the open market at once at any time, the price would plummet. I really question whether acquisition ROI is positive except in rare cases on a first order basis. Eliminating future compensation, securing a propaganda emitter, etc I can see (though not quite sure what the story would be in this case).

Re: Reports: EA set to be sold to private investors for up to $50B

#50
post #40

What this shows quite clearly is that petrostates have too much money and power. Its astonishing how many crucial sectors of the American economy have significant Gulf investment; and may soon be completely controlled by them. The only rational way I see out of this is to move to Renewable energy and eliminate the worlds dependence on fossil fuels.

It's the move to renewables that's causing this. In a steady state industry, the majority of your revenue goes into investing in the next generation of infrastructure. Dying industries get a temporary injection of profit as your future investments decrease faster than your decline in cashflows.

Additionally, there's an incentive to invest this windfall profit into unrelated industries to diversify in preparation for the end of your primary revenue stream.

Post reply on HN