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Interview: id's John Carmack and ZeniMax CEO on The Acquisition
Following yesterday's news that ZeniMax – the parent company of Fallout 3-developer Bethesda – had purchased id Software – one of the most successful, and long-standing, independent video game developers of all time – we had a chance to speak with ZeniMax CEO Robert Altman and id co-founder (and industry legend) John Carmack. Joystiq: How long has the acquisition process been in development? Robert Altman: I had my first meeting with [id Software CEO] Todd Hollenshead at E3 a year ago. We had a general discussion about how our two companies might explore matters of mutual interest and the conversations then took place over the ensuing months. So it's been almost a year, on and off, that we've been having these conversations. And how long has Bethesda – or ZeniMax in this case– been looking to expand that studio range outside of just Bethesda and Vir2L,etc.?
ZeniMax's id buyout doesn't affect Wolfenstein and Rage
We're just one day into the freshly forged relationship between id Software and publishing powerhouse ZeniMax, and we may well be on our way to a bona fide lover's squabble. See, though yesterday's press release from ZeniMax boasted that the company's "library of powerhouse franchises will include DOOM, Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, QUAKE, Wolfenstein and RAGE," Electronic Arts and Activision have announced that they're retaining their publishing duties for Rage and Wolfenstein, respectively.ZeniMax referenced these two parties in the same press release, stating that it would publish all of id's future games "other than upcoming releases previously committed to other publishers." Though both EA and Activision's partnerships with id Software are limited to the aforementioned games, and will effectively end when said titles are released, the temporary presence of these two concubines should make things pretty awkward in the newly built idMax household.
Bethesda parent company buys id Software
Well, that was unexpected. id Software, the game studio behind Doom, Quake, Wolfenstein, and the upcoming Rage, has just been acquired by ZeniMax, parent company of Fallout 3 developer Bethesda Softworks.Despite the acquisition, ZeniMax expects id Software to continue operating as before. "No changes will be made in the operations of id Software in the development of its games," the press release states. "id Software will continue to operate as a studio under the direction of its founder, John Carmack ... All the principals at id Software have signed long-term employment contracts, assuring they will continue in their roles developing games in the future." In other words, don't expect major folks at id to jump ship.A large emphasis is being placed on how id will benefit from ZeniMax resources. "Our role will be to provide publisher support through Bethesda Softworks and give id Software the resources it needs to grow and expand," said Robert Altman, founder and CEO of ZeniMax Media. "Our intention is to make sure id Software will continue to do what they do best – make AAA games." Todd Hollenshead, CEO of id Software, also agrees that the acquisition will result in better financial security for the team: "We will now have financial and business resources to support the future growth of id Software, a huge advantage which will result in more and even better games for our fans."While it appears id has much to gain from the merger, we're more intrigued by what Bethesda can gain. While Fallout 3 has earned heaps of critical praise, many will agree that graphics tech is far from Bethesda's strong suit. With Carmack and idTech now owned by ZeniMax, future Bethesda titles are sure to benefit. See John Carmack's statement after the break.
Fallout 3 'Broken Steel' DLC no longer broken for PC users, back online
Those who purchased Fallout 3's latest DLC, Broken Steel, with the intention of actually using it with the Games For Windows version of Bethesda's post-apocalyptic role-playing game, can now do so. As we reported yesterday, purchasers found themselves unable to even install the add-on because of what we now know to be a GFWL digital rights management-related issue.We are unable to confirm reports from the field that Liberty Prime has succumbed to DRM issues and is now targeting friendlies it believes to have illegally downloaded MP3s.
Fallout 3: Broken Steel trailer contains big, steel spoiler
SPOILER WARNING: Don't watch unless you really want to ruin the ending of Fallout 3! Bethesda has released a trailer for the third -- and only maybe final -- DLC expansion for Fallout 3, Broken Steel, due out for Xbox 360 tomorrow, May 5. We strongly suggest that you don't play the video if you haven't finished the game, since, well, it spoils something big (and metal). If you've finished the game (or just don't care), by all means, play away.The trailer provides a quick glimpse of how the add-on will continue on from an ending that was designed to be the end along with plenty of Brotherhood vs. Enclave laser-blastin' action. Oh, and that something big being generally awesome. In fact, just watching the footage will make the next 12 hours or so before it goes live (on Live) that much harder. We'll just pass the time thinking about what it'll be like to hear the level-up drum roll once again and dreaming of new, sure-to-be-fancy perks.
More hints of a Fallout MMO?
We've alternately consulted both our Magic 8 Ball and a Ouija board for answers to the Fallout MMO question. As in, will there be one? We think we've got a handle on the licensing intricacies of Fallout between ZeniMax Media (parent company of Bethesda Softworks) and Interplay thanks to a stellar article written by Daedren for r1ft Gaming. Briefly stated, Bethesda owns the rights to the Fallout IP, but not a Fallout MMO. Interplay holds the Fallout MMO rights, but only if they could raise $30 million and begin development by April 2009. Interplay has mentioned an MMO project with a tongue-in-cheek codename Project V13 (a nod to Fallout) but we've heard little of this game beyond that 2008 announcement that a dev team was being formed. In addition, we reported just last week that ZeniMax Media is hiring for an MMO division, project(s) unknown. While it hints at the potential to bring Fallout into the MMO space, we're still chalking it up to rumor. That rumor got a bit juicier today though when we came across something of interest at our sister site Big Download. The original Fallout designer Jason Anderson, formerly the creative director for Project V13, has parted company with Interplay to work for inXile on a new RPG. We're still not certain if the various bits of news we've found in the last few weeks indicates a potential ZeniMax/Bethesda Fallout MMO or if Interplay's Project V13 will chug along just fine without Jason Anderson, so we're still firmly in the realm of "rumor," albeit an interesting one to fans of all things post-apocalytic.
ZeniMax Media hiring for MMO division
ZeniMax Media Inc., is currently seeking out MMO development talent for its online game division, GamesIndustry.biz reports. Why is this significant? ZeniMax is the owner of Bethesda Softworks, and thus both Fallout and Elder Scrolls. A Fallout MMO is entirely possible, but the business side of producing this title is somewhat complex. Daedren over at r1ft Gaming dissected the issue as it stood in November:Bethesda Softworks owns the rights to the the Fallout IP, while Interplay retains rights to a Fallout MMO. However, those rights are forfeit provided Interplay is unable to raise $30 million and begin development of the Fallout MMO by April of 2009. (This is presumably Interplay's "Project V13" which involves other original Fallout team members.)
Bethesda parent company looking for MMO talent
While Oblivion and Fallout 3 offer an MMORPG experience without all of the lumbering masses, Bethesda father figure Zenimax Media continues to eye the real MMO market. The company is looking for new talent to help its cause, announcing that it has entered into a second hiring phase at its MMO-focused ZeniMax Online Studios.Currently ZeniMax's online branch employs a team of 60, with former Gamecock and BradyGames exec Steve Escalante and Blizzard support guru Rich Barham making up the latest additions to the studio's roster. Studio president Matt Firor teases that devs of all disciplines looking to help "create the next great MMOG" should apply within. No specific project has been announced, but in this shrinking economy any sign of positive growth is cause for celebration.
Joystiq review: Fallout 3's Operation: Anchorage (DLC)
For the uninitiated, Operation: Anchorage sees players on a VR mission to infiltrate an Alaskan military installation, with a heavier emphasis on being stealthy than the main game. Yes, what we've just described could very well be the premise of the original Metal Gear Solid, but this is Fallout 3, right? Well, not exactly as you know it.Operation: Anchorage is a 4-5 hour campaign (we got through it a bit quicker) that calls the game's FPS element into play more than we'd anticipated. In fact, the scenario is a linear one in the vein of Call of Duty and is very focused on action. Sure, the trademark V.A.T.S. targeting system is still present, but, most of the time, we found ourselves playing in a purely run-and-gun mindset. Still, there's a depth of story and uncanny attention to detail that very much manages to keep this DLC rooted in the Fallout universe. %Gallery-39191%
Wii minigames going medieval
There ain't no party like a Medieval party 'cuz a Medieval party don't stop. Of course, that likely has more to do with rampant dysentery than any measure of fun, something we hope won't come packaged with Medieval Games, a new collection of minigames casually heading to the Wii.The game is being hammered out by the ye olde blacksmiths at N-Fusion Interactive, with Bethesda sister company Vir2L Studios set to publish. Medieval Games promises to bring waggle to the Middle Ages with bite-sized dragon slaying, castle sieges and archery contests as players suit up as one of several "colorful" playable archetypes such as the knight, princess, bard or wizard. No release date or even screens from the game have been revealed, meaning we'll just have to learn to make do with the hojillion other minigame collections collecting dust on Wii shelves for now.
Bethesda sister developer bringing mobile sports pair to DS
Did you know that Oblivion and Fallout 3 dev Bethesda had a sibling named Vir2L Studios? Known primarily for releasing games for cellular phones, the ZeniMax-owned outfit has announced plans to bring a pair of titles to the Nintendo DS this summer. However, while this would have been great news had the company decided to bring its Elder Scrolls Travels mobile titles to the handheld, life has taught us that life is seldom that generous.Vir2L will instead release touchable versions of its AMF Bowling and Ducati motorcycle racing series on the DS. Both AMF Bowling Pinbusters! and Ducati Moto promise multiple characters and Wi-Fi connectivity, and will each carry a budget price of $19.99. Still, our hope is that Vir2L is simply testing the waters with these titles, and we may someday be able to save Oblivion's Tamriel, stylus in hand.
Bethesda on new MMO: keep waiting!
Sometimes, as bloggers, we feel bad for game developers. They try so hard to give us straight-forward interviews on their pet projects, and all we do in return is try and get them to slip us information on another, even bigger pet project. A Blizzard producer being interviewed about Wrath of the Lich King? I'll bet you ten bucks he gets asked about their "next-gen" MMO. Cryptic employee trying to discuss the terms of their separation with NCsoft? So, how's that Marvel Universe Online going? And in the case of a recent interview with CVG, Bethesda's Peter Hines came in to talk about Fallout 3 and the first question he's asked?So is there any progression down that avenue with the franchise at the moment, with the MMO?Oy vey! Well, in case you were wondering, Mr. Hines didn't have much to say on the subject of Zenimax Online, their new online studio, beyond that because they are a start-up, it's unlikely that we're going to hear any announcements for quite some time. Well shoot, it was worth trying, right? In the mean time, we're going to be left to sit and ponder on this cool Sunday evening about what kind of game they could make if NOT an Elder Scrolls MMO.
Bethesda MMO studio sees substantial investment
An Elder Scrolls MMO may be closer to conception than we were previously aware, as Gamasutra reports that Bethesda parent company ZeniMax Media has gotten a massive buff in cash from Providence Equity Partners to, and here we quote, "Fund future growth, ramp up publishing and development, facilitate acquisitions, and finance MMOGs." This comes on the heels of the formation of ZeniMax Online Studios, an MMOG studio formed by estranged Mythic Entertainment founder Matt Firor in Hunt Valley, MD. While our knee-jerk reaction is to assume they'll be working on an Elder Scrolls MMOG, just given the success of Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, it's also worth remembering that Bethesda owns the rights to the Fallout franchise. We normally wouldn't stoop to this kind of scandalous rumor-mongering, but the announcement specifically mentions "MMOGs" in the plural. Assuming Elder Scrolls is numero uno, what else besides Fallout could they bring to the MMO genre? We know Interplay technically owns the rights to a Fallout MMO, but Bethesda just got quite a bit richer... More corporate back-patting after the jump.
