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EA CEO gets big Battlefield 6 payday, while devs were laid off
Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson received total compensation of $38,649,984 for the last fiscal year, an increase of more than $8 million, according to a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The payout comes despite EA laying off an unspecified number of developers in March across Battlefield studios Criterion, Dice, Ripple Effect and Motive, even though Battlefield 6 was the standout success behind the company's record year and one of the biggest game launches of 2025.
Battlefield 6 became the best-selling title in the US in 2025, shifting more than 20 million copies by December and outselling a Call of Duty release for the first time in the franchise's history, helping EA post $7.531 billion in net revenue, up 9%. Other senior executives also received large payouts, with Stuart Canfield, Laura Miele, Mala Singh and Jacob Schatz earning between roughly $8.4 million and $13.7 million each, while EA described the layoffs as a "realignment" of its Battlefield teams. The news comes as Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, alongside Silver Lake and Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners, pushes ahead with a $55 billion acquisition of EA that has recently been approved by the European Commission.
In short
- EA CEO Andrew Wilson earned $38.6 million despite Battlefield 6 layoffs
- Battlefield 6 was 2025's best-selling US game, driving record EA revenue
- $55 billion Saudi-backed EA takeover recently cleared by EU regulators
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The CEO’s pay reflects EA’s record financial year and Battlefield 6’s exceptional commercial success, and a large share of executive compensation may be tied to performance and long-term incentives. Companies also need to reorganise teams as projects and priorities change, so layoffs can occur even when a particular release succeeds.
The case against
The contrast between a nearly $39 million CEO payout and developers losing their jobs raises questions about how the gains from their work are shared. If Battlefield 6 helped drive record results, rewarding senior leadership so handsomely while cutting staff on its studios may seem unfair and could damage trust and morale.
Explained simply
Electronic Arts is one of the world's largest video game companies. Battlefield 6, a military shooting game that launched in 2025, became one of that year's biggest commercial successes, selling over 20 million copies and outselling competing titles in the United States.
Despite Battlefield 6's strong performance, Electronic Arts laid off an unspecified number of developers from the Battlefield studios in March 2025. At the same time, the company's chief executive Andrew Wilson received $38.6 million in total compensation for the fiscal year, an increase of more than $8 million from the previous year.
The story emerges as Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and other major investors pursue a $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts. The situation presents a contrast between large executive payouts and developer job losses at a time of record company profitability.
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