ZeniMax

An American media conglomerate and video game publisher known as the parent company of Bethesda Softworks and id Software.

Action

Role-playing (RPG)

First-person shooter

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Website

Founded

1999

Acquired

2021

HQ

Rockville, United States

Parent

Microsoft

Known for

Action-adventure / Role-playing / First-person shooter

25

Games

2009–2019

Years

9

Platforms

$12.51

Ø CIB

+28.9%

24M change

About

ZeniMax Media is the parent company responsible for overseeing major franchises through its subsidiaries, including the publishing of Wolfenstein (2009) and Wolfenstein: The New Order (2014). Through its division ZeniMax Online Studios, the company also developed and managed the MMORPG franchise The Elder Scrolls Online.

Under ZeniMax, the revival of classic intellectual properties became a cornerstone of the company's portfolio. The release of Wolfenstein (2009) marked a pivotal transition point for the sci-fi military shooter, navigating complex international distribution laws that led to the title being banned or heavily modified in certain territories due to its historical imagery. To streamline these properties alongside the expanding The Elder Scrolls Online franchise, ZeniMax leveraged its internal studios to reinvent legacy gameplay formats.

This strategy culminated in Wolfenstein: The New Order (2014), developed by MachineGames. This release was accompanied by specialized physical releases, such as the Wolfenstein: The New Order [Occupied Edition] (2014), which targeted collectors with alternative packaging and memorabilia. By balancing the narrative-driven, single-player focus of these action titles with the persistent, multiplayer world of The Elder Scrolls Online, ZeniMax established a dual-track operational model. This approach allowed the company to maintain diverse revenue streams, bridging the gap between traditional campaign-based shooters and long-term service-based role-playing games.