June 24, 2009
ZeniMax
Media Acquires id Software
Library of powerhouse franchises
will include DOOM, Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, QUAKE, Wolfenstein and RAGE
ZeniMax Media Inc. 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.”
