Electronic Arts is now a private company after being acquired by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund for $55 billion this August 4. This will give greater freedom to the publisher, but it could also have some implications for its games.

In fact, employees have recently expressed concerns about the possible censorship of certain content. For example, franchises like The Sims, which feature elements of diversity and inclusivity, could be curtailed by the new Saudi owners.

Trick Weekes, a former BioWare developer, claims that while "guns and football" won’t be a problem, "gay stuff" will likely be banned. The Mass Effect franchise, whose next installment is still in development, could therefore be directly affected due to the numerous romantic relationships depicted in its games.

In a statement released after the acquisition was approved, EA promised its employees that the company’s "cultural values" would be preserved. Another employee suggests that "projects just won’t get signed because they don’t align explicitly with what the Saudi government wants." Another believes it is difficult "to feel good about being bought out by a regime that’s very much at odds with progressive society, so it is surely detrimental to anyone who finds this buyout morally odious."

Only time will tell how will this fare for Electronic Arts.