Saudi Arabia is Using Games to Improve Its Image w/ Nathan Grayson

·56 min·5 clips

Saudi Arabia is preying on a desperate eSports industry to launder its reputation through massive cash injections.

This episode of Tech Won't Save Us features host Paris Marx and returning guest Nathan Grayson, a co-founder of the video game news site Aftermath and author of a book on the streaming industry. They examine Saudi Arabia's growing influence in global entertainment, specifically through its recent move to acquire video game publisher Electronic Arts. The discussion centers on Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund leading a consortium, which includes Jared Kushner's investment firm, to purchase Electronic Arts for $55 billion. Nathan Grayson explains this as an extension of the kingdom's "sportswashing" strategy, previously seen in its investments in golf, boxing, and the WWE. He details Saudi initiatives like the annual Esports World Cup in Riyadh, which featured a keynote from game creator Hideo Kojima, and investments in companies like Ubisoft. The hosts note that the video game and esports industries, facing layoffs and instability, are particularly receptive to this capital influx. They cite the example of EA CEO Andrew Wilson, who received over $25.6 million in compensation in 2024 amidst company layoffs. A surprising claim is that the Saudi acquisition of EA might be less about video games and more a backdoor entry into the influential American NFL, as EA produces its flagship football game. The conversation reveals that Saudi entities have previously funded specific game content, like Assassin's Creed DLC promoting tourism. An attempt to partner with the International Olympic Committee on an Esports Olympic Games reportedly failed over Saudi objections to including women in leadership roles. The hosts observe that initial ethical resistance from figures like esports commentators and the fighting game community has dwindled as financial offers persist. They highlight a recent community rebellion within the game GeoGuessr, where mapmakers removed their content to protest the game's involvement with the Esports World Cup. The tone is analytical and critical, blending industry expertise with geopolitical concern. It adopts a conversational interview style, with the host prompting the guest to unpack complex deals and their cultural implications. This episode will appeal to listeners interested in the intersection of finance, geopolitics, and media culture, particularly within the video game industry. Those seeking purely technical discussions about game development may find the focus on corporate consolidation and soft power less engaging.

As heard by us

A sharp look at how gaming and state influence collide.

Saudi Arabia's push into gaming is treated here as a question of culture, leverage, and influence, not just another business deal. Nathan Grayson connects the money to the political stakes in a way that makes the industry's vulnerability feel immediate.

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Why you'd press play

You want the power story behind Saudi Arabia's planned EA acquisition.

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