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ZeniMax
Publisher

ZeniMax

ZeniMax Media is an American media conglomerate best known as the parent company of video game publisher Bethesda Softworks.
Action
Sports
Strategy
Racing
Tactics
Founded
1999
Acquired
2021
HQ
Rockville, United States
Parent
Microsoft
Known for
Action-adventure / Role-playing / First-person shooter
55
Games
2001–2020
Years
13
Platforms
$13.37
Ø CIB
+42.5%
24M change

About

Founded in 1999 by Christopher Weaver and Robert A. Altman, ZeniMax Media was established as the successor to Bethesda Softworks' parent company, Media Technology Limited. Over the years, ZeniMax expanded by acquiring major game development studios, including id Software, Arkane Studios, and MachineGames. In 2021, the company was acquired by Microsoft and became part of Xbox Game Studios.
During its early operational phase, the publisher managed a diverse portfolio of titles, handling the distribution and publishing of various third-party and niche games. Among its earliest catalog associations are the 1996 PC releases of the horror game D and its D [Long Box] edition. As the company transitioned into the new millennium, it expanded its publishing reach across multiple genres and platforms. This period saw the release of racing and simulation titles such as Sports Superbike and Power Drome, alongside the flight simulator Air.
The publisher also targeted broader family and action audiences by distributing the puzzle game Gubble and the platformer Malice. These early endeavors allowed the company to establish a robust global distribution infrastructure. This distribution network eventually supported the massive commercial launches of its core internal franchises. By securing international publishing rights and managing localized distribution channels, the corporate entity transformed from a distributor of licensed software into a global powerhouse capable of managing multi-million-selling intellectual properties across PC and console platforms.

Key People

Christopher Weaver
Founder
Robert A. Altman
Co-founder, former CEO
Todd Howard
President, Bethesda Game Studios

Connections

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Games featuring ZeniMax (55)