‘It Was Getting Damaged and Broken Apart’ – Pete Hines Says Bethesda Is Part of Something That Is Not ‘Authentic’ or ‘Genuine’
Pete Hines spent 24 years at Bethesda Softworks before retiring in 2023, shortly after the release of Starfield, the studio’s first major release following Microsoft’s acquisition of parent company ZeniMax Media in 2021 for $7.5 billion. The former head of publishing has now opened up about his departure, revealing significant frustration with how the company transformed after the acquisition.
In a candid interview, Hines stated that Bethesda had become “part of something that is not authentic and is not genuine,” and described feeling the company was “damaged and broken apart” during the post-acquisition transition. He revealed that his departure was always intended to occur after Starfield’s launch, marking the end of an era for the veteran who spent over two decades overseeing marketing for major franchises including The Elder Scrolls, Fallout, and Doom.
His comments suggest deeper tensions within Bethesda stemming from the massive corporate consolidation, which brought the independent studio under Microsoft’s broader corporate structure. Hines’ departure underscores potential cultural challenges faced by large studios when integrated into major technology and entertainment conglomerates.