Bethesda founder and CEO Robert Altman passes away

ZeniMax/Bethesda founder Robert Altman has passed away, and the entire games industry mourns the loss of the transformative CEO.

Derek Strickland

Senior Gaming Editor

Published Feb 4, 2021 4:14 PM CST

45-second read time

ZeniMax co-founder Robert Altman has passed away at the age of 74, Bethesda today announced.

Industry icon Robert Altman has died, leaving behind a decades-long string of games and entertainment. A former lawyer, Altman co-founded ZeniMax in 1999 and created the Bethesda parent company alongside Bethesda Softworks founder Chris Weaver. An everlasting legacy of interactive content ensued, solidified with big-name franchises like The Elder Scrolls, eventually branching off into the multi-studio network that includes studios like MachineGames, Arkane, and id.

Altman was reportedly well-liked at Bethesda and key industry figures have chimed in to recount their experiences with the transformative CEO. Bethesda won't be the same without his guidance, and we could see the company shift after Altman's loss and the recent Microsoft acquisition.

Read more: Pete Hines left Bethesda because the studio is now part of something that isn't 'authentic or genuine'

Random bit of trivia: Altman was married to Wonder Woman's Lynda Carter.

Bethesda founder and CEO Robert Altman passes away 233

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Derek Strickland

Senior Gaming Editor

Derek joined TweakTown in 2015 and has since reviewed and played 1000s of hours of new games. Derek is absorbed with the intersection of technology and gaming, and is always looking forward to new advancements. With over six years in games journalism under his belt, Derek aims to further engage the gaming sector while taking a peek under the tech that powers it. He hopes to one day explore the stars in No Man's Sky with the magic of VR.