Id Software’s Co-Founder and Bethesda’s Parent Company Settle Legal Dispute

Id Software co-founder, John Carmack, and Bethesda’s parent company, ZeniMax, have resolved their legal disputes following a year-long battle.

Carmack, who is now Oculus’ Chief Technical Officer, filed a lawsuit against ZeniMax in March 2017 over non-payment of money he was allegedly owed following id Software’s sale. Carmack claimed that ZeniMax withheld a payment of $22.5 million out of the $150 million that he was due to receive.

News of the settlement comes straight from the horse’s mouth:

My personal legal disputes are over — Zenimax has fully satisfied their obligations to me from the purchase of Id Software, and we have released all claims against each other. (The appeal for Oculus still goes forward)

— John Carmack (@ID_AA_Carmack) October 11, 2018

If you’re wondering what that Oculus appeal is about, ZeniMax successfully sued Oculus for $500 million last year as the VR company’s co-founder, Palmer Luckey, was found guilty of breaking a non-disclosure agreement with ZeniMax. However, a Texas jury dismissed claims that Oculus had stolen ZeniMax’s trade secrets.

Carmack’s lawsuit came mere months after ZeniMax won its case, prompting the company to accuse Carmack of retaliating and “lacking remorse” over his “faithless acts and violations of law.”

Oculus subsequently filed an appeal, which Carmack is referring to in his tweet.