ZeniMax Media Inc. is an American media company that develops and publishes video games through
its subsidiaries.
ZeniMax is known as the owner of id Software, Bethesda Game Studios, Arkane Studios, Tango
Gameworks, MachineGames and ZeniMax Online Studios.
ZeniMax Media Inc. is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland, with offices in North America, Europe,
Asia and Australia.
ZeniMax Media was reportedly valued at about USD $1.2 billion, in 2007.
History ZeniMax Media was Co-founded in May 1999 by
Bethesda Softworks founder Christopher Weaver and DC lawyer Robert A. Altman.
Weaver's vision was to use Bethesda Softworks as a hybrid-media company which would create
cross-media properties for a diverse range of different platforms.
Weaver brought Altman on board as CEO, contributing his stock in Bethesda Softworks so that the
new shell company, named ZeniMax Media, would be able to obtain funding.
Weaver served initially as Chief Technology Officer of the company from 1999-2002, then
moved to a non-operational role in 2002.
In 2004, ZeniMax Media acquired the Fallout franchise from Interplay Entertainment.
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".
Fallout 3 was released in October 2008.
On October 6, 2010, ZeniMax Media received $150 million private investment in convertible
preferred stock from Providence Equity Partners.
Providence had earlier invested US$300 million in ZeniMax convertible preferred stock in
2007.
Providence Equity Partners holds a 25% stake in ZeniMax Media.
On August 1, 2007, ZeniMax Media announced the creation of ZeniMax Online Studios a division
headed by Matt Firor.
In 2012, the company announced that it was developing The Elder Scrolls Online, ultimately
releasing it on April 4, 2014.
On October 30, 2007, ZeniMax Media announced that Euro broadcasting group ProSiebenSat.1
Media was intensifying its relationship with ZeniMax.
It launched SevenGames.com, the international version of its German game platform, in December
and work with ZeniMax to develop online gaming.
ProSiebenSat.1 Media holds a 9% stake in ZeniMax Media through SBS Broadcasting, which it acquired
the same year.
In September 2009, ZeniMax Media acquired rights to the Prey video game franchise.
In December 2009, ZeniMax Media acquired publishing rights to the id Software game Rage.
The game was to be published by Electronic Arts.
On March 3, 2011, ZeniMax Media announced a partnership with the University of Southern
California School of Cinematic Arts to support its Interactive Media Division with a comprehensive
educational program of guest lectures and internships.
Corporate governance The company's Board of Directors consists
of 8 individuals: Robert A. Altman
Ernest Del Jerry Bruckheimer
Michael Dominguez Leslie Moonves
Cal Ripken, Jr Harry E. Sloan.
Robert S. Trump Note: Todd Hollenshead, the Former President
of id Software, is not listed in the ZeniMax Board of Directors on the official ZeniMax
website nor do the recent filings mention him, but Hollenshead was a ZeniMax Board member
according to a 2009 filing by ZeniMax.
It is unknown what period he was a Director.
Other board members in the past included Mark Schneider, the former Chairman and CEO of
United Pan-Europe Communications, Inc., as well as Christopher Weaver.
Outside advisors ZeniMax's Business Advisory Board consists
of 7 individuals: John A. Merrigan
Jon Feltheimer Terry McAuliffe
George J. Mitchell Miguel Sanchez-Nevarro Redo
Paul J. Wilmot Tony Coelho
Previous advisors included Dean Devlin Co-Founder of Centropolis Entertainment, as well as Mark
Bilfield, the former Director of Integrated Marketing, at Saatchi & Saatchi.
Investors ZeniMax Media had many different investors
over the years.
The investors are Providence Equity Partners, ProSiebenSat.1 Media, Robert A. Altman, Leslie
Moonves, Cal Ripken, Jr, Harry E. Sloan, Jerry Bruckheimer, Ernest Del, J. Griffin Lesher,
James Cedar, Cindy C. Tallent, Robert S. Trump, Michael J. Domingues, Christopher Weaver,
SBS Broadcasting Europe, Ardsley Partners Fund, ZM Investment, The Gordon and Donva
Crawford Trust(Gordon Crawford), the Schon Family Trust and ZeniMax private investor
Tony Coelho.
Subsidiaries Development studios
Bethesda Game Studios, established in 2001.
ZeniMax Online Studios, founded in 2007.
id Software, acquired in June 2009.
Arkane Studios, acquired in August 2010.
Tango Gameworks, acquired in October 2010.
MachineGames, acquired in November 2010.
Battlecry Studios, founded in October 2012.
Publishing Bethesda Softworks, acquired in 1999
ZeniMax Asia KK ZeniMax Europe Ltd.
ZeniMax Germany GmbH ZeniMax France SAS
ZeniMax Benelux BV ZeniMax Asia Pacific Ltd.
ZeniMax Australia Pty Ltd Defunct
e-Nexus Studios.
XL Translab.
Acquired in 1997 by Bethesda Softworks, defunct date unknown.
Vir2L Studios, acquired in 1999, inactive since late 2010.
Mud Duck Productions, founded in 2002, inactive since 2007.
ZeniMax Los Angeles, founded in 1999, the office was closed in September 2001 due to
lack of investor funding.
Bethesda Softworks East in Moscow, Russia founded in 2001, closed in 2004.
References
External links Official website