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Silver Lake and Saudi Arabia's PIF explore buyout of Unity Software

Investment firm Silver Lake and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund have approached gaming software maker Unity Software about a potential takeover, with discussions valuing the company at up to $25 billion.

Unity company logo showing its cube emblem and name on a white background
Image: @VGC_News

Gaming engine provider Unity Software has held talks regarding a potential acquisition by a consortium of investors that includes private equity firm Silver Lake and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), according to reports from Reuters and VGC. Silver Lake already owns an 8% stake in Unity, and the takeover discussions have reportedly centered around an enterprise valuation of approximately $25 billion.[1][2][4]

While Reuters and VGC reported the potential transaction size at roughly $25 billion, Kotaku separately reported that Unity is in buyout discussions with PIF at a valuation of $21.5 billion. Unity's market value currently stands at around $20 billion, according to financial reporting.[3][4][5]

The reported move comes after Silver Lake and Saudi Arabia's PIF completed a $55 billion acquisition of publisher Electronic Arts, according to Wccftech, which noted that game development studio BioWare was shuttered in the wake of that deal.[6]

Key facts

  • Silver Lake and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) have held discussions to acquire game engine maker Unity Software.
  • Silver Lake currently holds an 8% ownership stake in Unity.
  • Reuters and VGC reported the buyout talks value Unity at approximately $25 billion, while Kotaku placed the discussion figure at $21.5 billion.
  • Unity has a market value of approximately $20 billion.
  • Silver Lake and PIF previously acquired Electronic Arts for $55 billion and closed BioWare following the deal, according to Wccftech.

Sources · 6 sources

  1. TE

    Techmeme@TechmemePost on X ·

    Sources: Unity has held talks to be acquired by a consortium including Silver Lake, which owns 8% of Unity, and Saudi Arabia's PIF, discussing a ~$25B valuation (Reuters) (Visit Techmeme dot com for the link and full context!)

    Open source
  2. TE

    TechmemeArticle ·

    Sources: Unity has held talks to be acquired by a consortium including Silver Lake, which owns 8% of Unity, and Saudi Arabia's PIF, discussing a ~$25B valuation (Reuters) Reuters : Sources: Unity has held talks to be acquired by a consortium including Silver Lake, which owns 8% of Unity, and Saudi Arabia's PIF, discussing a ~$25B valuation — Gaming software provider Unity Software (U.N) has held talks to be acquired by a consortium of investors including private …

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  3. KO

    Kotaku@KotakuPost on X ·

    Unity is in $21.5 billion buyout talks with Saudi Arabia's PIF https://t.co/6WSMijTNjF

    Open source
  4. VG

    VGC@VGC_NewsPost on X ·

    Saudi Arabia's PIF and investment firm Silver Lake have reportedly been in talks to acquire Unity, in a potential deal said to be valued at around $25 billion. https://t.co/G6QltUe66Q https://t.co/1uXQGlEhEt

    Open source
  5. ㆅ

    ㆅ@howfxrPost on X ·

    Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Silver Lake have approached @Unity Software about a potential takeover. Unity has a market value of around $20 billion. 🧵 https://t.co/7USEPJkMnR

    Open source
  6. WC

    Wccftech@wccftechPost on X ·

    After buying EA for $55 billion (and closing BioWare), Silver Lake and Saudi Arabia's PIF are now trying to acquire game engine maker Unity. 🔗 https://t.co/JGoB2gp3qO https://t.co/4nGGP8vIkT

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