ZeniMax Media ZeniMax Media Inc . is an American developer , marketer , publisher , and distributor of computer and video games . It is based in Rockville , Maryland . ZeniMax is best known as the owner of Bethesda Softworks , the publisher of " The Elder Scrolls " game series , as well as the " Fallout " series starting with " Fallout 3 " , focused mainly on computer role playing games . It also owns other game development studios , most notably Bethesda Game Studios and id Software . Softworks also publishes games developed by third party developers . ZeniMax is partly owned by private equity firm Providence Equity Partners and German Mass media company ProSiebenSat . 1 Media . Providence invested $ 300 million in ZeniMax in 2007 in exchange for a 25 % ownership stake , and an additional $ 150 million in 2010 for an undisclosed amount of shares , now owning a minority stake in the company . ProSiebenSat . 1 Media owns a 6 . 83 % stake in ZeniMax as of December 31 , 2015 . ZeniMax was reportedly valued at $ 1 . 2 billion , in 2007 and later rumored to be valued at $ 2 . 5 billion or more in 2016 . Background . ZeniMax was founded in 1999 by Bethesda Softworks founder Chris Weaver and Robert A . Altman . Weaver ' s vision was to use Bethesda Softworks as the basis to create a hybrid media company to create cross - media properties such as PC and console games ; interactive TV ; mobile ; web and new media . Weaver invited Altman to help him run the new company , but potential investors were wary of Altman because of his previous involvement in the BCCI scandal as well as making new investments in the field . As part of the deal , Weaver , sole owner of Bethesda Softworks , contributed his stock so that the new shell company ( Zenimax ) would be able to obtain funding . Robert Altman installed himself as CEO and convinced Weaver to take the position of CTO — a move that ultimately resulted in Weaver being forced out by Altman in 2002 . Although still the largest shareholder , Weaver no longer has any day - to - day responsibilities with Zenimax . Altman is still CEO . Under ZeniMax , Bethesda developed and published " The Elder Scrolls III : Morrowind " and " The Elder Scrolls IV : Oblivion " . Bethesda is also the publisher of three new Star Trek games , " Star Trek : Legacy " ( For PC / Xbox 360 ) , " Star Trek : Tactical Assault " ( for Nintendo DS / PlayStation Portable ) , and " Star Trek : Encounters " ( PlayStation 2 ) . In 2004 , ZeniMax acquired the Fallout franchise from Interplay Entertainment . Bethesda ' s Todd Howard said in January 2007 that " We started work on " Fallout 3 " in late 2004 with a few people . We only had about 10 people on it until " Oblivion " wrapped , but most of our staff is on it now . " " Fallout 3 " was released in October 2008 . On June 24 , 2009 , it was announced that ZeniMax had purchased independent developer id Software . Corporate governance . ZeniMax ' s Board of Directors consists of eight individuals : From 1999 From 2007 Outside advisors . ZeniMax ' s Business Advisory Board has included the following individuals over time . The Names of ZeniMax ' s advisors were listed on ZeniMax " s website from 2000 till 2009 . In late 2009 the names were removed from ZeniMax ' s website for unknown reasons . It is unknown if any of the advisors still advise the company . Listed from 2000 to 2009 Listed from 2001 to 2009 Listed from 2000 to 2004