Bethesda Softworks acquires id Software @ Gaming Target

Written by John Scalzo on June 24, 2009

News: The Doom developer and the Fallout 3 developer join forces.

Bethesda Softworks' parent company, ZeniMax Media, has announced that it has acquired id Software, famed developer of the Doom, Quake and Wolfenstein games. Id was founded in 1991 and for many years the company fiercely defended their independence. That independent streak is what seems to have prompted this merger as id's founding father, John Carmack, said that teaming with a dedicated publisher (of such high profile projects as Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls IV) would give the company's developers the oppurtunity to work on all of their projects under one roof.

Both companies also confirmed that "[n]o changes will be made in the operations of id Software in the development of its games." To further drive home that point, it was revealed that all of id's key employees have signed long term contracts and will be employed at the developer for a long time.

Id Software is currently working on Quake Live, a browser-based version of their popular shooter along with Rage (which will be published by EA per a previous agreement) and Doom 4 for the PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. The Mad Max-inspired shooting/driving game Rage is the company's first original game since the release of the first Quake back in 1996.

Todd Hollenshead, CEO of id Software, commented on the transaction: УThis 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.Ф

Robert Altman, the founder, Chairman & CEO of ZeniMax Media stated, УWe, 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 Ц 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.Ф

УThis puts id Software in a wonderful position going forward,Ф said John Carmack, who will continue to serve in his current role as Technical Director. УWe 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."

We'll have more soon.