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…)