Bethesda parent scores $300 million, readying expansion

By Tor Thorsen, GameSpotPosted Oct 25, 2007 4:56 pm PT

ZeniMax Media gets massive funding package to help develop massively multiplayer titles and other game development; PS3 Shivering Isles coming to Sony's console solo.

Recent headlines show that making games has become a big business. One month ago, an Abu Dhabi-based firm invested $500 million in Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Two weeks ago, Electronic Arts bought BioWare/Pandemic for $860 million, seven days before NPD reported September was a $1.3 billion month for the US game industry.

Today, another major deal was announced. ZeniMax Media, owner of Bethesda Softworks, announced it has landed a massive investment from Providence Equity Partners Inc. In return for an undisclosed amount of preferred stock, the company will receive $300 million in funding to "increase game development and publishing, facilitate acquisitions, and finance massively multiplayer online games."

The MMOG projects in question are being developed under much secrecy at ZeniMax Online, which opened its doors this past August. Much of the remainder of the money will be used to "allow ZeniMax and Bethesda to think several steps ahead and grow," a spokesperson told GameSpot. Though next to nothing is known about the MMOG projects, Bethesda's upcoming releases include next month's Star Trek: Conquest (Wii, PlayStation 2) and next year's Fallout 3 (PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC).

Also as a result of the deal, Providence managing director Michael Dominguez will sit on ZeniMax's board of directors. Other members of the board include CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves, MGM Chairman and CEO Harry Sloan, former baseball player and Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., and famed film and television producer Jerry Bruckheimer.

In other Bethesda-related news, the developer-publisher just announced it will release the Elder Scrolls IV: The Shivering Isles as an independent product for the PlayStation 3 on November 20. The expansion pack, which was released on PC and Xbox 360 via disc and download earlier this year, was previously only available for the PS3 as part of the Game of the Year Edition of the original Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, released earlier this month. The Elder Scrolls IV: The Shivering Isles PS3 expansion will retail for just $29.99, but will require Oblivion to play.

96 Comments

  • aaronobst

    Posted Jun 25, 2009 5:23 am PT

    I'm glad now every PS3 owner will be able to experience the Shivering Isles, luckily for me however that I bought the GOTY edition

  • adecoy95

    Posted Apr 22, 2009 9:39 am PT

    no bethesda, dont make an mmo, i promise you it will fail, you havent even made a multiplayer backend for oblivion, how on earth are you going to have to knowhow to make such a massive mmo system?

  • Ozzza

    Posted May 29, 2008 8:50 am PT

    I want an Elder Scrolls V the most, but please Bethesda make also an ES MMORPG.

  • Lantz_Smiddy

    Posted Jan 10, 2008 8:54 am PT

    The thought of the elderscrolls series becoming multiplayer fascinates me... but how can they make the same theme as an mmo... because in morrowind or oblivion when you killed someone they literally died and didnt come back... but man if i could play a game like oblivion with my friends to go out and quest with the same graphics and feel of the game... that would be amazing... they would make like an infinite amout of money...lol sounds great bethesda you have yet to fail me!love your games bethesda keep up the good work!!

  • calebtheshark

    Posted Nov 15, 2007 11:59 am PT

    We need it for the Playstation store,and the Vile Lair,thank Bethesda for the shivering Isles.

  • skwiid

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 7:30 pm PT

    BETHESDAY SHUOLD TOTALLY TRANSFORM OBLIVION INTO AN MMO THAT WOULD BE AMAZING! I WOULD PLAY THAT GAME FOR EVER!

  • skwiid

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 7:22 pm PT

    does this mean oblivion will become an xbox live multiplayer game?

  • commorancy

    Posted Nov 5, 2007 3:00 am PT

    It's about time that we see the Oblivion expansions start to hit PS3. But, in fact, it's too late for me. I've already bought an Xbox 360 and GOTY edition of Oblivion and all of the expansions. So, I won't be buying any expansions on the PS3. Yes, Oblivion plays a bit better on the PS3, but Sony is still a step behind the Xbox 360. Sony better get on the ball and start getting titles before Xbox 360 if they want attract gamers back to the PS3. Sony also needs to make sure to offer a lot more downloadable content than they presently do.

  • foxhunter10

    Posted Nov 2, 2007 9:15 pm PT

    I want see NOW the fallout 3 in multiplayer mode!

  • badgert

    Posted Nov 1, 2007 6:26 pm PT

    Cool

  • ninjarat

    Posted Oct 31, 2007 9:09 am PT

    Finnally we PS3 owners will get the expansion! That's me made up!

  • Agermemnon

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 12:20 pm PT

    A mmo for consoles is a great idea but i would like it to be cross platform for the bigger user base and not a gindathon like some other out there at the moment .

  • TMontana1004

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 4:52 am PT

    I don't know if you could sucessfully make the elder scrolls into an mmo. i would rather them try it out on Fallout 3.

  • NUTTY_POO

    Posted Oct 27, 2007 1:15 am PT

    give me a job! fallout 2 is the best game ever. i have so many ideas you could profit from.

  • Kcirdor1227

    Posted Oct 26, 2007 6:24 pm PT

    I'd go for TES(or the Realm in which TES takes place) in a diablo type mmo. Retain the game engine currently used, but tweak it to be able to form parties of 3 or 4 and complete quests online if you want or if you choose you can do it offline solo. Also for the PVPers you can choose to enter the arena and duel 1 on 1 up to 4 on 4 or any other type of CTF.

  • MasterChief725

    Posted Oct 26, 2007 5:39 pm PT

    An MMO from Bethesda will stand out from the crowd. They're great work on the elder scrolls will show up in this MMO hopefully..

  • MasterChief725

    Posted Oct 26, 2007 5:37 pm PT

    hmm....$10 more than 360 version, 1 year late, and comes after new expansion announced...for 360 and PC??!!? just doesnt cut it Sony...

  • SmArTaLeC1321

    Posted Oct 26, 2007 2:00 pm PT

    Its worth the money for the amount of game you get not to mention the quality of this title.

  • KILLSYOU123

    Posted Oct 26, 2007 1:59 pm PT

    Man i realy wanted shivering Isles but i dont want to pay 30$ for it!

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