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One Billion-Dollar Sale in the Gaming Sector Surpassed the Entire GDP of Paraguay. Transactions from Giants like EA, Microsoft, Exxon, and Chevron Show Figures Greater than Entire Economies of South America
At the end of September, the global gaming industry registered one of the largest transactions in its history. Electronic Arts (EA), famous for franchises like FIFA, Battlefield, and Need for Speed, was acquired for US$ 55 billion (about R$ 294.2 billion).
The most impressive detail is that the amount paid by the consortium of investors — formed by the Saudi Arabian Sovereign Fund (PIF), the American manager Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners, led by Jared Kushner — exceeded the entire Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Paraguay by 22.2%, estimated at US$ 45 billion (R$ 240.7 billion).
This contrast clearly illustrates how large corporate deals can move more than the annual production of goods and services of entire countries.
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São Paulo hides beneath the asphalt a project worth R$ 1.1 billion with 44.6 km of underground cables, energy from Itaipu, and a silent mission: to reinforce the ABC region of São Paulo.
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Refrigeration technicians become a rare commodity in Brazil: the lack of qualified labor is already affecting air conditioning, supermarkets, hospitals, industries, and data centers, while salaries exceed R$ 4,400 in CLT positions, and the billion-dollar sector rushes to train new professionals.
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After spending more than $4 million on a plot of land that remained vacant for over a decade, Dallas approved a village with 50 micro-homes for homeless veterans, rent-free housing, a community center, and support next to a veterans’ hospital.
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Brazilian Army had R$ 1.5 billion planned for operations, but a Defense budget freeze halted actions at the borders against drugs, illegal mining, and factions.
Games Worth More than National Economies
The purchase of EA was not an isolated case. In 2023, Microsoft completed the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, owner of titles like Call of Duty, for US$ 69 billion (R$ 369.1 billion). This transaction was the largest in the history of the gaming industry and is nearly double the Paraguayan economy.
These examples highlight that the digital entertainment sector has ceased to be mere leisure: it now moves figures comparable — and in some cases greater — than industries such as oil and energy.
The Contrast with the Paraguayan Economy
Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP) revised its economic growth projection for 2025 from 4% to 4.4%. This improvement comes from the good performance of commerce, services, and livestock.
Despite the growth, the comparison highlights the gap between the economic pace of a South American country and global transaction figures. A single gaming deal can surpass everything Paraguay produces in an entire year.
Energy Also Plays in This League
The disparity is not limited to the technology sector. In the energy market, ExxonMobil purchased Pioneer Natural Resources in a deal valued at US$ 60 billion (R$ 321 billion). Considering debts, the final amount rose to US$ 64.5 billion (R$ 344.1 billion).
Shortly after, Chevron completed the acquisition of Hess Corporation for US$ 60 billion, consolidating its presence in strategic oil fields in Guyana, one of the most promising oil exploration hubs in the world.
The Power of Global Figures
These transactions demonstrate how multinational corporations can rival — or even surpass — entire economies. Paraguay, with about 7 million inhabitants, has become a reference point to show the colossal scale of these deals.
In a landscape where company valuations cross economic borders, the message is clear: the power of large corporations is no longer measured solely by market size, but in direct comparison with the GDP of entire nations.
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