Zenimax buys id Software

Written by Joe Martin

June 24, 2009 | 17:07

Tags: #doom #fallout #quake

Companies: #bethesda #id-software #zenimax

Zenimax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks, has just announced that it has bought out and fully acquired the grandfather of PC gaming, id Software. The creators of The Elder Scrolls, Doom, Quake and Wolfenstein series are now united under one company.

Discussing why id Software would ever want to sell company founder John Carmack says it's to do with the capitalising on the brands that both developers own.

"We're really getting kind of tired competing with our own publishers in terms of how our titles will be featured," Carmack said in a comment to Kotaku. "And we've really gotten more IPs than we've been able to take advantage of. And working with other companies hasn't been working out as spectacularly as it could."

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," said id Software CEO Todd Hollenshead. "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.

According to the press release id Software will continue to operate as a separate studio totally run by John Carmack and no changes are being made to the company structure or game designs. The core team at id Software have signed long-term contracts with Zenimax Media.

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," said Rob Altman, Zenimax CEO. "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.

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