Q&A: id Software's technical guru explains shock buyout by Bethesda parent, talks about new project, and doubts the Mac-maker will enter the console wars; new wave of iPhone games explained in detail.

Before the global news apple cart was upended by the tragic death of pop icon Michael Jackson, the biggest shocker of the week (for gamers) was ZeniMax Media's acquisition of id Software. After years of being courted by the biggest publishers in the business, the iconic Texan studio surprised the industry by selling out to the corporate parent of Bethesda Softworks, developer of The Elder Scrolls series and last year's smash hit, Fallout 3.

UFC publisher reveals first peripheral-specific title, claiming it will have a "competitive advantage" by being "different from anything else."

With more than 35 million people jamming on Guitar Hero's instrument controllers, gamers are increasingly picking up game-specific peripherals. That's allowing the companies that make custom controller-based games to cash in big. For example, Activision-Blizzard's rhythm franchise has earned over $2 billion to date. The company reported $981 million in net revenue for Q1 2009, nearly as much as competitor THQ's entire annual income last year.