ZeniMax Media, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks (Morrowind, Oblivion, Fallout 3), has
completed its acquisition of
id Software (Doom, Quake, Wolfenstein).
"id Software will continue to operate as a studio under the direction of its founder, John Carmack," vowed ZeniMax. "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...at the studio."
Founded as an independent game developer in 1991, id Software is currently working on the post-apocalyptic shooter RAGE (PC, PS3, 360) and the long-awaited Doom 4.
In an interview with Kotaku, id co-founder John Carmack, id CEO Todd Hollenshead and ZeniMax CEO Robert Altman said the purchase will change none of the principles or principals of id and Bethesda but will allow id to grow like it never has before.
The purchase does not affect plans for previously announced games from id that are slated for release through other publishers, including the Activision-backed Wolfenstein and the EA Partners-planned Rage.
Why did id sell?
"We're really getting kind of tired competing with our own publishers in terms of how our titles will be featured," Carmack said.
"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. So the idea of actually becoming a publisher and merging Bethesda and ZeniMax on there [is ideal.] It would be hard to imagine a more complementary relationship. They are triple A, top-of-the-line in what they do in the RPGs. And they have no overlap with all the things we do in the FPSes."
Hollenshead said ZeniMax's acquisition will allow id to grow its internal teams, staffing up the groups working on the next Doom — which will now be a ZeniMax game — and the Quake Live team, for starters.
John Romero, fellow id co-founder John Romero criticized the deal at first
on twitter, now regrets his quick reaction "I am positive about the Zenimax deal. My initial reaction was harsh. I guess i was shocked and sad to see the id Software of old changed forever today. It's a new day and a new id."
3D Realms' George Broussard found warm words about Bethesda "there's no better company that could have bought id".
Longtime id Software publishing partner Activision congratulate id and wish them well on their new endeavors.
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