ZeniMax confirms MachineGames purchase

ZeniMax Media, parent of Bethesda Softworks, has confirmed that MachineGames has become the latest studio to join the company.

MachineGames was founded in 2009 by the founding members of Starbreeze Entertainment, which created the The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher's Bay and console title The Darkness. The studio's current project is as yet unannounced, but the company has confirmed that they will be using id Tech 5 as a foundation for the game.

"Working with our new colleagues at id and the world class publisher, Bethesda Softworks, is a tremendous opportunity," said MachineGames' CEO Jerk Gustafsson.

"MachineGames has assembled a dedicated team that has extensive experience working together to produce quality games. We are excited to create a new AAA title for gamers on id Tech 5 that will push the game development envelope."

id Tech 5 is the first iteration of id Software's proprietary engine technology not to be sold externally as middleware, with the ZeniMax-owned id keeping the engine for use exclusively by its stablemates. ZeniMax acquired id last year for an undisclosed amount.

It's a partnership which id creative chief Tim Willits told GamesIndustry.biz had been extremely beneficial, allowing id to work on forthcoming title Rage until it was ready instead of hurrying a release. Just last month, ZeniMax also acquire Tango Gameworks, owned and run by Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami.