Hunt Valley, Maryland (April 14, 2008) Baltimore County Maryland is recognized as home to some of the best-known video and computer game development companies in the world, with a community that includes industry pioneers such as Firaxis Games, Big Huge Games, and Breakaway Ltd. Now ZeniMax Media Inc., parent company of Bethesda Softworks in Rockville, Maryland, is bringing a new online game development studio to Hunt Valley, Maryland. ZeniMax Online Studios is headed by Matt Firor, an expert in the field of online gaming, and will focus on the Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) market. Firor was one of the founders of Mythic Entertainment and was producer for Dark Age of Camelot, a MMO considered one of the most influential online games in this growing sector of the interactive entertainment industry. "Baltimore County, and Hunt Valley in particular, is recognized worldwide as a center for innovation and pioneering creativity in the game development industry," stated David S. Iannucci, Executive Director for the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development. "ZeniMax Online Studios will continue this tradition by attracting even more creative talent to Baltimore County's game development community." ZeniMax Online Studios is currently hiring for lead positions in animation, art, programming, content design, production and network administrator. Baltimore County's game development studios have created blockbuster history, sports, and strategy games for PC and consoles, including Sid Meier's Civilization series, Rise of Nations, Railroad Tycoon, and the Battleground series. Over a dozen companies, mostly in Hunt Valley area, total over 400 employees, and represent the East Coast center of activity for an industry with $7.4 billion in 2006 software sales in the United States according to ESA, the Entertainment Software Association. In October 2007, ZeniMax Media Inc. announced a $300 million investment by Providence Equity Partners Inc. The proceeds of the investment will be used to fund future growth, increase game development and publishing, facilitate acquisitions, and finance massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs). About ZeniMax Media Inc. ZeniMax Media is a unique media organization which has brought together world-class game developers, artists, and designers, programmers, producers, and leading executives and talent from traditional media. ZeniMax Media creates and publishes original interactive entertainment content for consoles, the PC, and handheld/wireless devices. ZeniMax Media divisions include Bethesda Softworks, ZeniMax Online Studios, Vir2L Studios and ZeniMax Europe Ltd. For more information on ZeniMax Media, visit www.zenimax.com. Read more business headlines Read more about Baltimore County Business Communities Back to top Read more business headlines Baltimore County
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