Fallout 3 meet id Software

It’s difficult to think of any studio more influential and controversial in the history of first person shooters then id Software.  In fact, id Software states that they “created the original first-person shooter, Wolfenstein 3D” and id Software co-founders have been the stuff of legends with John Romero’s rock star lifestyle before leaving id and John Carmack continuing to earn respect at id from gamers and developers alike.  Today, id Software, the creators of Wolfenstein, Doom and Quake announced that they’ve been acquired by ZeniMax Media, the parent company of another game studio legend, Bethesda Softworks of the Elder Scrolls series and Fallout 3.

At first glance, id, an almost exclusively first-person shooter dominated studio; and RPG powerhouse Bethesda may not seem to have that much in common, but this may be the thing that makes them the best fit.  With no directly overlapping internal competition this deal serves to expand ZeniMax Media’s portfolio without creating conflict between their respective subsidiaries.

In the joint press release from all three companies they have committed that id will continue with business as usual and that all of the principles at id have signed long term contracts with ZeniMax Media.  The major changes for id will be having access to more funding, business resources, and stronger marketing under their permanent new publisher. (more…)

Magic hour as the sun rises

I check the Huntermate in my hands—it’s 6:45AM. I shouldered my rifle and left the hunting lodge nearly two hours ago.  I’ve heard the deer around me, moving softly, but I haven’t seen a single one—yet.

I admit it; I’m a rookie at hunting. I had shot at the outline of a deer hidden in fog before I’d walked two dozen paces from the lodge.  It didn’t move an inch, and when I examined it closer I took comfort that the metal sign was riddled and dented from all the bullets it had survived.  I guess I wasn’t the first to make that mistake.

Despite the quick shower of morning rain the fog had burned off nicely, visibility was good and the sun was beautiful as it rose glowing through the trees.  As I walked I lost myself in the forest, almost forgetting I was here hunting for prey until my Huntermate beeped, letting me know it hadn’t forgotten we were there to hunt.  The Huntermate had heard the sound of a deer and it marked the general location on the GPS where the sound had come from.

I began heading the direction indicated until I saw a soft red glow on the ground and I abruptly realized that I had been completely immersed in a video game for the last two hours. (more…)