MachineGames developing under Bethesda, using id Tech 5
Mega-publisher ZeniMax Media made its acquisition of Swedish developer MachineGames official today, specifying that the studio would be working on multiplatform titles under ZeniMax's Bethesda banner. MachineGames' first unannounced project will be built using sibling studio id Software's id Tech 5 game engine.
"Working with our new colleagues at id and the world class publisher, Bethesda Softworks, is a tremendous opportunity," said MachineGames CEO Jerk Gustafsso, who will serve as executive producer of the new game.
Barely a year old, MachineGames has nothing to show for itself publicly, though the company was established by a gang of ex-Starbreeze founders, including Gustafsso, which is credited with critical darlings The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher's Bay (2004) / Assault on Dark Athena (2009) and The Darkness (2007). Legal documentation of the acquisition appeared to indicate that MachineGames would be re-branded "ZeniMax Sweden," but it seems the studio will retain its original name.
Just two weeks ago, Zenimax made its acquisition of Shinji Mikami's Tango Gameworks official. Just this week, subsidiary Bethesda made its shipment of 5 million blatantly buggy copies of Fallout: New Vegas official -- hey, revenue's gotta come from something while these new studios get settled.
[Pictured: id Software's Rage, built with id Tech 5]
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ZENIMAX MEDIA ACQUIRES EUROPEAN STUDIO
MachineGames™ Established by Starbreeze Founders to Develop
Multi-Platform Titles for Bethesda Softworks
Creators of High-Scoring "Chronicles of Riddick" Game will Use id Tech® 5
November 11, 2010 (Rockville, MD) – ZeniMax Media Inc., parent company of noted game publisher Bethesda Softworks, today announced it has acquired a European development studio, MachineGames™, based in Uppsala, Sweden.
Established in 2009 by the founding members of Starbreeze Studios, the creative team behind the award-winning title, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher's Bay (Metacritic score: 90) and the highly-regarded game, The Darkness, MachineGames is working on an unannounced project for ZeniMax publishing subsidiary, Bethesda Softworks, that is being built on id Software's revolutionary id Tech® 5 engine technology.
Jerk Gustafsson, the studio's CEO who will also oversee development as Executive Producer, expressed his studio's enthusiasm at joining ZeniMax by saying, "Working with our new colleagues at id and the world class publisher, Bethesda Softworks, is a tremendous opportunity."
"MachineGames has assembled a dedicated team that has extensive experience working together to produce quality games. We are excited to create a new AAA title for gamers on id Tech 5 that will push the game development envelope," Gustafsson continued.
MachineGames joins a group of high-profile development studios which includes Bethesda Game Studios®, id® Software, Arkane® Studios and Tango Gameworks™. This deal reinforces Bethesda's commitment to delivering premier titles to gamers worldwide.
"MachineGames shares our passion for creating ground-breaking gaming experiences," said Robert Altman, Chairman and CEO of ZeniMax Media. "We are excited to have these accomplished industry veterans join ZeniMax Media's group of world-class studios."
About ZeniMax Media Inc.
ZeniMax Media is a preeminent media organization which has brought together a team of world class game developers, artists and designers, programmers, producers, and leading executives and talent from traditional media. ZeniMax Media creates and publishes original interactive entertainment content for consoles, the PC, and handheld/wireless devices. ZeniMax Media divisions include Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, Arkane Studios, Tango Gameworks, MachineGames, Vir2L Studios, ZeniMax Europe Ltd., ZeniMax Asia K.K. and ZeniMax Online Studios. For more information on ZeniMax Media, visit www.zenimax.com.
About Bethesda Softworks
Bethesda Softworks, part of the ZeniMax Media Inc. family of companies, is a premier developer and worldwide publisher of interactive entertainment software. Titles from some of the world's top development studios – Bethesda Game Studios, id Software, and Arkane Studios – are featured under the Bethesda Softworks label and include such blockbuster franchises as DOOM®, QUAKE®, The Elder Scrolls®, Fallout®, Wolfenstein® and RAGE™. For more information on Bethesda Softworks' products, visit www.bethsoft.com.
ZeniMax, Bethesda Softworks, Bethesda Game Studios, Tango Gameworks, MachineGames, Vir2L, The Elder Scrolls, Oblivion, Morrowind and related logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of ZeniMax Media Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. ID, id Software, DOOM, QUAKE, Wolfenstein, RAGE and related logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of Id Software LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. Fallout is a registered trademark or trademark of Bethesda Softworks LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. Arkane and related logos are registered trademarks or trademarks of Arkane Studios in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. All Rights Reserved.
