ZeniMax Media
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| ZeniMax Media Inc. | |
|---|---|
| Type | Incorporated |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Rockville, Maryland |
| Key people | Robert Altman, Chairman and CEO |
| Industry | Computer and video games |
| Products | The Elder Scrolls, Fallout 3 |
| Subsidiaries | Bethesda Softworks Vir2L Studios Mud Duck Productions ZeniMax Online Studios |
| Website | http://www.zenimax.com |
ZeniMax Media Inc. is an American developer, marketer, publisher, and distributor of computer and video games. It is based in Rockville, Maryland.
ZeniMax is best known as the owner of Bethesda Softworks, the developer of The Elder Scrolls game series, focused mainly on computer role playing games. It also owns other game development studios and publishes games developed by third party developers.
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[edit] ZeniMax development studios
The following video game development studios are owned by ZeniMax Media:
- Bethesda Game Studios
- Vir2L Studios (mobile phone and handheld games)
- Mud Duck Productions
- ZeniMax Online Studios (MMOG development)
[edit] History
ZeniMax was founded in 1999 by Robert A. Altman, chairman and CEO of the company and Bethesda Softworks founder Chris Weaver, to make content and technology for interactive television, but potential companies were wary of new investments in the field[1]. The same year, it acquired Bethesda Softworks. In 2002, Chris Weaver's contract with the company was not renewed and the co-founder was forced to leave ZeniMax and Bethesda.
Under ZeniMax, Bethesda developed and published The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Bethesda is also the publisher for three new Star Trek games, Star Trek - Legacy (For PC/Xbox 360), Star Trek - Tactical Assault (for Nintendo DS/PlayStation Portable), and Star Trek - Encounters (PS2).[2]
In 2004, ZeniMax 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]
[edit] References
- ^ Out of the Dark and Into the Spotlight, Mike Musgrove, Washington Post, August 15, 2005
- ^ Press Release: Bethesda Softworks Obtains Star Trek License and Announces Two Games from Bethesda Softworks website
- ^ Facing Fallout from Next Generation
- ^ Fallout 3 360-bound? from Gamespot

