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ZeniMax co-founder and CEO Robert Altman dead at 73

Robert A. Altman, the respected co-founder of Zenimax Media (Bethesda Softworks), has passed away at the age of 73. He leaves behind an adoring family and a company that has gone from strength to strength.

Robert Altman co-founded ZeniMax in 1999 with Christopher Weaver. The parent company of Bethesda Softworks, ZeniMax has become an industry-defining video game publisher responsible for hugely successful titles such as Fallout 4 and the Elder Scrolls series.

Today, news has reached the world that Altman has died at the age of 73.

Robert altman
Robert Altman and wife Lynda Carter

A letter from his son James Altman paints his father as a man of integrity, possessing a desire to positively effect the lives of those around him. James recalls:

“In my first week at ZeniMax, I was surprised to learn that Robert emailed the entire company if he had baseball tickets he wasn’t using. He was, unsurprisingly, inundated with emails within a matter of seconds. I politely suggested there may be better uses of his time than to get a full inbox for something so minor. He said “No, I prefer to do it myself. I like a personal touch, and besides, I like hearing from everybody.””

This sad news has comes recently after it was announced that Microsoft had acquired ZeniMax and Bethesda for $7.5 billion USD. However, there is no suggestion that these events were related to each other. In his letter, James comments on this timing and how he believes the deal with Microsoft is positive for both parties.

“Closing our deal with Microsoft will be a bittersweet moment for all of us. But I take comfort in knowing that our Company is and will be in the capable hands of Robert’s friends. And I know that we will continue to honor his legacy by making the world’s greatest games for our fans.”

We have linked through to James Altman’s letter here.