John Carmack said id Software sold to ZeniMax because making games had become a bigger, riskier operation than the independent studio could comfortably sustain. id wanted to develop more than one major game at a time and expand its internal teams; ZeniMax offered a publishing pipeline and, in Carmack’s view, a better fit than a larger publisher whose other studios might compete with id for resources. The “shelved his ego” framing is not the literal explanation: Carmack described practical business and production concerns, not an ego dispute.
Why id’s old development model was changing
For years, id had valued independence and received acquisition offers without taking them. Carmack told GamesBeat in June 2009, “We have had offers made to us continuously over the years.” The company’s production model, however, was shifting away from releasing one major project roughly every four years.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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DOOM Eternal: Standard Edition - PlayStation 4 | $27.49 | Buy on Amazon |
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DOOM: The Dark Ages – Xbox Series X | $31.49 | Buy on Amazon |
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DOOM: The Dark Ages – PlayStation 5 | Buy on Amazon | |
| 4 |
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Doom - Xbox One | $26.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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DOOM + DOOM II (Limited Run Games #144) - for Playstation 5 | $44.48 | Buy on Amazon |
Carmack argued that long technology-development cycles and the time required to train a team on new technology made it important to put that technology into a broader pipeline. Publisher conversations had also encouraged id to expand its internal development capacity rather than rely on a single project at a time. By the time of the sale announcement, id was staffing Doom 4 alongside Rage and had teams working on mobile games and Quake Live, as he explained to Engadget.
The change mattered because big games required large teams and long development periods. In Carmack’s account, a major release carried substantial financial risk: if a project underperformed, or the market shifted during years of development, the consequences could affect a sizeable studio. Independence gave id freedom, but it also left the company carrying more of that operational and financial burden itself.
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- Gain access to the latest demon-killing Tech with the DOOM Slayer's advanced praetor suit, including a shoulder-mounted flamethrower and the retractable wrist-mounted DOOM Blade
- Upgraded guns and mods, such as the Super shotgun's new distance-closing meat hook attachment, and abilities like the double Dash make you faster, stronger, and more versatile than ever
- You can't Kill demons when you're Dead, and you can't stay alive without resources. These tools are the key to your survival and becoming the ultimate demon-slayer
- A new class of (destructible) demon
- Battle mode is the new 2 versus 1 multiplayer experience built from the ground up at id software
Why not stay independent or sell to EA or Activision?
Carmack said he personally valued the freedom to pursue work he considered worthwhile, and id had long prized its independence. But a larger publisher could bring resources and a release pipeline while also creating a different problem: id might have to compete internally with the publisher’s other studios for attention, funding, or marketing support.
He and id CEO Todd Hollenshead described a particular tension when a publisher owned a studio or franchise in the same category. Carmack told Kotaku that a publisher might prefer to put resources behind intellectual property it owned outright rather than a title whose profits partly went elsewhere. As Carmack put it, “There is a very real conflict there between whether they want to put resources behind something they own the IP for and derive all the profit for versus something where they don’t own the IP and they might feel like any effort they’re putting into it isn’t going into their value but somebody else’s.”
Rank #2
- Developed by id Software, DOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells the epic cinematic origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage.
- In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.
- A dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine. With a customizable difficulty system, it’s the perfect entry point whether you’re new to the franchise or a long time fan.
- As the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw.
- Experience the origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in this epic, cinematic, and action-packed story.
That was Carmack’s concern about the fit at publishers such as EA or Activision, not evidence that either company had made a specific offer on the same terms as ZeniMax. He feared id could become one studio among many, competing with related internal teams—especially if the publisher also had a shooter business.
Why ZeniMax looked like a better fit
In Carmack’s view, id and Bethesda complemented rather than directly competed with one another. id was known for first-person shooters; Bethesda focused on role-playing games. He described the pairing to GamesBeat as a “perfect hand and glove fit,” and said the companies’ cultures appeared compatible. He expected id to continue its established development approach as a sister studio to Bethesda while gaining access to ZeniMax’s publishing operation.
Rank #3
- Developed by id Software, DOOM: The Dark Ages is the prequel to the critically acclaimed DOOM (2016) and DOOM Eternal that tells the epic cinematic origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage.
- In this third installment of the modern DOOM series, players will step into the blood-stained boots of the DOOM Slayer, in this never-before-seen dark and sinister medieval war against Hell.
- A dark fantasy/sci-fi single-player experience that delivers the searing combat and over-the-top visuals of the incomparable DOOM franchise, powered by the latest idTech engine. With a customizable difficulty system, it’s the perfect entry point whether you’re new to the franchise or a long time fan.
- As the super weapon of gods and kings, shred enemies with devastating favorites like the Super Shotgun while also wielding a variety of new bone-chewing weapons, including the versatile Shield Saw.
- Experience the origin story of the DOOM Slayer’s rage in this epic, cinematic, and action-packed story.
ZeniMax CEO Robert Altman offered the buyer’s perspective: id would add titles to the company’s publishing pipeline and increase its scale. That rationale is distinct from Carmack’s account of why selling made sense for id. The transaction was presented as a way to bring together complementary development and publishing capabilities, not as proof that id’s anticipated benefits were guaranteed to materialize.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the interviews do—and do not—establish
The contemporary interviews were conducted around the June 24–25, 2009 acquisition announcement. They document the parties’ reasoning and expectations at that moment; they do not establish how the deal later affected id’s output, staffing, creative autonomy, finances, or long-term prospects.
Rank #4
- A Relentless Campaign: There is no taking cover or stopping to regenerate health as you beat back Hell's raging demon hordes
- Return of id Multiplayer: Dominate your opponents in DOOM's signature, fast-paced arena-style combat
- Near-Limitless Gameplay: Doom SnapMap – A Powerful, but Easy-to-Use Game and Level Editor That Allows for Limitless Gameplay Experiences on Every Platform
- Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) Content Description: Blood and gore, intense violence, strong language
They also do not disclose the acquisition price, payment method, or detailed contract terms. GamesBeat reported that Altman would not say whether the deal was cash or stock, and that the private companies were not providing financial details; Kotaku likewise reported that terms were undisclosed. A purchase figure or payment structure should not be treated as established by those interviews.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- DOOM + DOOM II on a region-free physical disc.
- Includes: DOOM, DOOM II, TNT: Evilution, The Plutonia Experiment, Master Levels for DOOM II, No Rest for the Living, Sigil & Sigil II, Legacy of Rust (a new episode created in collaboration by id Software, Nightdive Studios and MachineGames).
- A new Deathmatch map pack featuring 25 maps
- Total of 187 mission maps and 43 deathmatch maps in DOOM + DOOM II
- # of Players: Single System 1-4, Local wireless 1-8, Online 1-16
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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