Bethesda Softworks co-founder, CEO Robert A. Altman dies

Update, February 4 (4:eleven ET): Bethesda shared a statement from Altman'southward son, James.

A pioneer of the gaming industry has passed away. Today, we learned that Bethesda Softworks co-founder and CEO Robert A. Altman has died. Bethesda shared the news via Twitter today, stating that "He was a truthful visionary, friend, and believer in the spirit of people and the power of what they could achieve together. He was an boggling leader, and an even amend homo being."

You can come across the full statement, and letter from Altman, that Bethesda shared on Twitter below:

We are deeply saddened to tell you of the passing of Robert A. Altman, our Founder and CEO. He was a truthful visionary, friend, and believer in the spirit of people and the ability of what they could achieve together. He was an boggling leader, and an even better man. pic.twitter.com/FZFsVtHc5t
— Bethesda (@bethesda) February 4, 2022

Together with Christopher Weaver, Altman founded Bethesda Softworks in 1986, later founding its parent company ZeniMax Media in 1999. With Altman as CEO, ZeniMax Media would grow as a major tertiary-political party publisher, founding ZeniMax Online Studios and acquiring game development studios such every bit Alpha Dog Games, Arkane Studios, MachineGames and Tango Gameworks.

Robert Altman Source: Artemisboy / Wikimedia Commons

Over the concluding decade, Bethesda Softworks has published game franchises such every bit The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, Doom, Wolfenstein, Dishonored and Prey, while maintaining its condition equally a large privately held gaming company until recently. In September 2022, we learned that ZeniMax Media agreed to be acquired by Microsoft, an acquisition that is currently undergoing regulatory review.

Microsoft expects ZeniMax Media to be fully acquired quondam before end of June 2022. When it is completed, Microsoft's first-party will abound from 15 to 23 evolution studios with Bethesda alongside Xbox Game Studios. Some of Bethesda'due south major upcoming games include titles like Deathloop and the sci-fi adventure Starfield.

Update, Feb iv (four:eleven pm ET) — Comments from Altman'south son James

James Altman has shared some words written regarding the passing of his begetter. James mentions his begetter'south work ethic and his opinion on Bethesda being caused by Microsoft.

I find it fitting that Robert'south terminal great professional person accomplishment – in a long career of professional person accomplishments – was to brand a bargain to exist acquired by Microsoft. Robert and I had strategic discussions many times, and he was e'er uncompromising that he would never make a deal if our developers would non support it. "I don't care how much money anyone offers. We will never be acquired unless it's a proficient dwelling for our studios," he would say. I tin can't think of a better home than Microsoft. And all the more fitting that we volition soon be working for Phil Spencer, of form, nonetheless another of Robert'south close friends and a human Robert regularly described as one of the greatest minds in our manufacture.

James Altman works at Bethesda Softworks as Managing director of Publishing Operations.