- ZeniMax Media
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ZeniMax Media Inc. 
Type Private Industry Interactive entertainment
Computer and video gamesFounded 1999 Headquarters Rockville, Maryland, U.S. Key people Robert Altman, Chairman and CEO
Ernest Del, PresidentProducts Doom, Quake, The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Wolfenstein, Rage Divisions Bethesda Softworks Subsidiaries Bethesda Game Studios
ZeniMax Online Studios
Vir2L Studios
Mud Duck Productions
id Software
Arkane Studios
Tango Gameworks
MachineGamesWebsite http://www.zenimax.com/ ZeniMax Media Inc. is an American media company that develops and publishes computer and video games through its subsidiaries. ZeniMax is known as the owner of id Software (developer of DOOM and Quake), Bethesda Softworks (developer of The Elder Scrolls and Fallout), Arkane Studios (developer of Arx Fatalis and Dark Messiah of Might and Magic), Tango Gameworks[1] and Machinegames.[2]
Contents
Subsidiaries
Development Studios (Chronological Order)
- Bethesda Game Studios, acquired in 1999.
- ZeniMax Online Studios (MMOG development), created 2007.
- Vir2L Studios, created 2008.
- id Software, acquired in June 2009.
- Arkane Studios, acquired in August 2010.
- Tango Gameworks, acquired in October 2010.
- MachineGames, acquired in November 2010.
Publishing
- Bethesda Softworks
- ZeniMax Asia KK
- ZeniMax Europe Ltd.
- ZeniMax Germany GmbH
- ZeniMax France SAS
- ZeniMax Benelux BV
History
ZeniMax Media was founded in 1999 by Bethesda Softworks founder Christopher Weaver and Robert A. Altman. Weaver's vision was to use Bethesda Softworks as a hybrid-media company which would create cross-media properties for a diverse range of different platforms. Weaver brought Altman on board as CEO, contributing his stock in Bethesda Softworks so that the new shell company, named ZeniMax Media, would be able to obtain funding. Weaver moved to a non-operational role in 2002.
In 2004, ZeniMax Media acquired the Fallout franchise from Interplay Entertainment.[3] Bethesda's Todd Howard said in January 2007 that "We started work on Fallout 3 in late 2004 with a few people. We only had about 10 people on it until Oblivion wrapped, but most of our staff is on it now."[4] Fallout 3 was released in October 2008.
On June 24, 2009, it was announced that ZeniMax Media had purchased independent developer id Software.[5]
In September 2009 ZeniMax Media acquired rights to the Prey video game franchise.[6]
In December 2009 ZeniMax Media acquired publishing rights to the id Software game Rage. The game was to be published by Electronic Arts.[7]
On August 12, 2010 Zenimax Media acquired independent developer Arkane Studios.
On October 6, 2010 Zenimax Media received $150 million private investment in convertible preferred stock from Providence Equity Partners.[8] Earlier in October 2007 Providence also invested $300 million in Zenimax convertible preferred stock.[9]
On October 28, 2010 Zenimax Media acquired Shinji Mikami's Tango Gameworks studio.[10]
On November 5, 2010 Zenimax Media acquired independent developer MachineGames, which had been founded by developers who left Starbreeze Studios.[11]
References
- ^ http://www.vg247.com/2010/10/28/boom-zenimax-buys-tango-and-shinji-mikami/
- ^ http://www.develop-online.net/news/36273/Buyout-brings-birth-of-ZeniMax-Sweden-report
- ^ Facing Fallout - Edge Magazine
- ^ Fallout 3 360-bound? from GameSpot
- ^ Remo, Chris (2009-06-24). "Bethesda Parent ZeniMax Acquires id Software". Gamasutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=24183. Retrieved 2009-06-24.
- ^ Bailey, Kat (2009-09-08). "ZeniMax Media Acquires Rights To 'Prey'". 1UP.com. http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3175944. Retrieved 2010-01-02.
- ^ Purchese, Robert (2009-12-15). "Bethesda takes Rage from EA". Eurogamer. http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/bethesda-takes-rage-from-ea. Retrieved 2010-01-02.
- ^ http://www.zenimax.com/news_pressrelease10.06.10.htm
- ^ http://www.zenimax.com/news_pressrelease10.25.07.htm
- ^ http://bethblog.com/index.php/2010/10/28/tango-gameworks-lead-by-resident-evil-creator-shinji-mikami-joins-zenimax/
- ^ Gilbert, Ben (2010-11-05). "Machinegames purchased by ZeniMax Media, becomes ZeniMax Sweden". Joystiq. http://www.joystiq.com/2010/11/05/machinegames-purchased-by-zenimax-media-becomes-zenimax-sweden/. Retrieved 2010-11-08.
External links
- ZeniMax Media website
- Bethesda Softworks website
- ZeniMax Online Studios website
- Vir2L Studios website
- Mud Duck Productions website
- id Software website
- Tango Gameworks website
- MachineGames website
- Arkane Studios website
id Software Main franchises Other games People John D. Carmack • John Romero • Adrian Carmack • Tom Hall • Kevin Cloud • Jay Wilbur • Mark Rein • Sandy Petersen • Dave D. Taylor • American McGee • Mike Wilson • Michael Abrash • Paul Steed • Paul Jaquays • David Kirsch • Marty Stratton • Graeme Devine • Todd Hollenshead • Tim Willits • Katherine Anna Kang • Timothee Besset • Matthew J. CostelloCompanies Technology Wolfenstein 3D engine • id Tech 1 • Quake engine • id Tech 2 • id Tech 3 • id Tech 4 • id Tech 5 • id Tech 6Related Categories:- Video game companies of the United States
- Video game developers
- Video game publishers
- Companies based in Rockville, Maryland
- Companies established in 1999
- Privately held companies based in Maryland
- Private equity portfolio companies
- Providence Equity Partners companies
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