Electronic Arts (EA) is laying off an unspecified number of employees in another round of job cuts ahead of a planned $55 billion sale to Saudi Arabia. Multiple outlets report that this is at least the third wave of layoffs EA has carried out this year. The reports frame the staff reductions as occurring while the company moves closer to the expected leveraged buyout by Saudi Arabia-linked backers. The sale is described as one of the largest transactions involving the company, and the timing coincides with EA’s broader financial pressure and restructuring efforts. One outlet notes that the transaction could help offset the impact of EA’s reported $20 billion debt, though details of how the sale affects specific liabilities are not elaborated in the reports provided. The number of impacted staff is not stated publicly in these summaries. Collectively, the sources agree that EA continues to reduce headcount during the period leading up to the expected Saudi-backed acquisition.