Zenimax Media (Bethesda) Buys id?!?!?!?!.......!

**kamspy** · 06-24-2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

ZeniMax Media Acquires id Software

Brings together two of world’s best game studios

Library of powerhouse franchises will include DOOM, Fallout, The Elder Scrolls,
QUAKE, Wolfenstein and RAGE

June 24, 2009 (Rockville, MD) – ZeniMax Media Inc., parent company of noted game publisher Bethesda Softworks, today announced it has completed the acquisition of legendary game studio, id Software, creators of world-renowned games such as DOOM, QUAKE, Wolfenstein, and its upcoming title, RAGE. The acquisition by ZeniMax Media joins together two of the finest, most respected videogame developers in the world, combining the first person shooter (FPS) expertise of id Software with acclaimed role playing game (RPG) developer Bethesda Game Studios – creators of the 2008 Game of the Year, Fallout 3, and the 2006 Game of the Year, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Bethesda Softworks will publish the titles of id Software other than upcoming releases previously committed to other publishers.

Founded in 1991, id Software established itself as an industry leader with some of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed video games of all time. id Software created the original first-person shooter, Wolfenstein 3D, and subsequently set new standards in the genre with the blockbuster releases of its DOOM and QUAKE titles. In addition, id Software developed cutting edge, proprietary technology with the id Tech engine which powers many notable FPS titles, and continues to make great advances in game technology under the direction of John Carmack, one of the country’s technology leaders and a member of the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) Hall of Fame.

Todd Hollenshead, CEO of id Software, commented on the transaction: “This was a unique opportunity to team with a smart, sophisticated publisher like Bethesda Softworks where the interests of the studio and the publisher will be fully aligned in the development and marketing of our titles. In addition, we will now have financial and business resources to support the future growth of id Software, a huge advantage which will result in more and even better games for our fans.”

id Software will continue to operate as a studio under the direction of its founder, John Carmack. No changes will be made in the operations of id Software in the development of its games. All the principals at id Software have signed long-term employment contracts, assuring they will continue in their roles developing games at the studio.

“This puts id Software in a wonderful position going forward,” said John Carmack, who will continue to serve in his current role as Technical Director. “We will now be able to grow and extend all of our franchises under one roof, leveraging our capabilities across multiple teams while enabling forward looking research to be done in the service of all of them. We will be bigger and stronger, as we recruit the best talent to help us build the landmark games of the future. As trite as it may be for me to say that I am extremely pleased and excited about this deal, I am."

Robert Altman, the founder, Chairman & CEO of ZeniMax Media stated, “We, along with many others, consider id Software to be among the finest game studios in the world, with extraordinary design, artistic and technical capabilities. They have demonstrated, repeatedly, that rare ability to create franchise properties that are critical and commercial successes. Our intention is to make sure id Software will continue to do what they do best – make AAA games. Our role will be to provide publisher support through Bethesda Softworks and give id Software the resources it needs to grow and expand.”

ZeniMax Media Inc, which is privately held, was founded in 1999 to create quality interactive entertainment products to meet the growing worldwide demand. The Company is headquartered in Rockville, MD and maintains offices in Hunt Valley, MD, London and Tokyo. Among its wholly owned subsidiaries are Bethesda Softworks, a premier publisher of video games, Vir2L Studios which develops games for the casual market, and ZeniMax Online Studios, a studio dedicated to massively multi-player online games (MMOG).

Bethesda Game Studios, the development group at ZeniMax Media, is one of the top video game studios in the world. Its most recent release, Fallout 3, was the 2008 winner of more than 60 Game of the Year awards, including The Associated Press, Official Xbox Magazine, Yahoo, PC Gamer, IGN, Game Critics Awards, Game Developer Choice Awards, and Gamespy. Bethesda also created the 2006 PC and Xbox 360® Game of the Year, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and the 2002 PC and Xbox® Game of the Year, The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind. Bethesda Game Studios has created 2 of the 10 best games of all time, Fallout 3 and Oblivion, on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation® 3 platforms, as reported by the industry scoring system found at www.metacritic.com and www.gamerankings.com.

don't know what to say.....but Fallout 4 won't be as ugly as 3!

Cygnus · 06-24-2009, 04:22 PM

This kinda shows that id is not the power house it once was...

**kamspy** · 06-24-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cygnus

This kinda shows that id is not the power house it once was...

rolf. They're just playing it comfy.

Probably tired of letting Activision pimp the bits of the Quake 3 engine that are in COD without them getting a cut.

Mase · 06-24-2009, 06:05 PM

This is a really good move for both companies and I look forward to the outcome. Its nice to see that they are not cleaning house and that they respect them enough to just let them do what they do and thats creating fantastic games..

I guess not all buy outs are bad when conducted like this...

DonnyDC · 06-24-2009, 06:36 PM

Their doom 3 engine flopped they need the money.

**kamspy** · 06-24-2009, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonnyDC

Their doom 3 engine flopped they need the money.

Is this a joke post?

Pinoy · 06-24-2009, 08:38 PM

Can't wait to see what these guys pump out

**kamspy** · 06-24-2009, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinoy

Can't wait to see what these guys pump out

They both have a quality about them that the other lacks. Should be a good match.

Doom 4 is sounding really great right about now.

Cygnus · 06-24-2009, 09:39 PM

I wouldn't say that it flopped but it just has not been that important as their prior engines. Engine competition is great for the industry. It keeps engine license costs lower and should result with better tools for 3rd parties. I can't wait to see games based off CE3. Speaking of dev tools, whatever happened to renderware? I was so disappointed that EA bought them..

BTW, romero apparently is not impressed with the news (as if anyone cares)...

"ZENIMAX??????? Disgusting."

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonnyDC

Their doom 3 engine flopped they need the money.

railven · 06-25-2009, 10:03 AM

I agree with Kams, this is probably a direct move to counter Activision's insane growth (and with it declining public image.)

If it were EA making the offer, I wonder if id would jump, considering Valve is on that gravy train.

**kamspy** · 06-25-2009, 11:18 AM

Well, Valve is in the EAP program (EA partners). They aren't directly controlled by EA, EA just publishes the retail console versions of their games.

I don't think ActiBlizzard has such a program.

06-24-2009, 04:22 PM	#2
Cygnus The Bringer of Balance Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 6,834	This kinda shows that id is not the power house it once was... __________________ Toshiba 57H81 Kenwood VR-616 Comcast DCT6412 III XBox 360 GamerTag Sec0nd2N0n3

06-24-2009, 06:05 PM	#4
Mase Way of the Samurai Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Tempe,Az Posts: 2,566	This is a really good move for both companies and I look forward to the outcome. Its nice to see that they are not cleaning house and that they respect them enough to just let them do what they do and thats creating fantastic games.. I guess not all buy outs are bad when conducted like this... __________________ PlayStation 3 : legnd Killer Xbox 360: Legnd K1ller Steam ID: Legnd_Killer Currently playing Uncharted 2(PS3) Borderlands (360) NBA2k10 (360) COD4/WaW (360)

06-24-2009, 08:38 PM	#7
Pinoy I'm here for the lulz Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 3,631	Can't wait to see what these guys pump out __________________ SteamID: Pin0y_b0y Speed up your PS3 Network Connection

06-25-2009, 10:03 AM	#10
railven High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 3,724	I agree with Kams, this is probably a direct move to counter Activision's insane growth (and with it declining public image.) If it were EA making the offer, I wonder if id would jump, considering Valve is on that gravy train. __________________ PERMA BANNED

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DonnyDC High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 2,198	Their doom 3 engine flopped they need the money.

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kamspy Esteban Moderatoro Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Cincinnati,OH Good Posts: 12 Posts: 13,048	Well, Valve is in the EAP program (EA partners). They aren't directly controlled by EA, EA just publishes the retail console versions of their games. I don't think ActiBlizzard has such a program.