Bethesda donates $100K to ESA Foundation to foster diversity

Bethesda Softworks has made a hefty $100,000 donation to the ESA Foundation's scholarship program to help get more women and minority students into games. 

The donation is the biggest in the program's history, and will fund 33 scholarships. Bethesda announced the news as part of its 'Save Player 1' campaign, and says it wants to support the next generation of single-player game makers. 

"While Bethesda Softworks publishes more than just single-player games, we wanted to do our part to support the next generation of game developers," explained the company. 

"That's why, as part of this effort, we're donating $100,000 to the ESA Foundation to provide scholarships for future developers -- the talented young people who might one day make an amazing single-player game that you’ll love."

The ESA, which also runs the annual E3 games industry trade show, established the Foundation scholarship program back in 2007 with the aim of inspiring and motivating future visionaries. 

It has awarded almost $1 million dollars over the last decade, and hopes to continue encouraging diversity in the worlds of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. 

"This generous gift from Bethesda will help the ESA Foundation to continue providing scholarships for students following their dream of earning a computer science or video game arts-related degree," commented the ESA Foundation. 

"Together, we can empower the next generation of video game developers. Thank you, Bethesda!"