Introduction: Meet Jon Hare, the Iconic Game Developer and Founder of Sensible Software

Video games have become a significant part of modern-day entertainment. The brains behind creating these entertaining games that keep us glued to our screens are game developers. One of the notable game developers who has made a significant impact in the gaming industry is Jon Hare. He is known for developing numerous classic games such as Sensible Soccer, Megalomania, and Cannon Fodder.

Jon Hare’s career as a game developer spans over three decades, during which he co-founded Sensible Software, one of the most reputable game development studios in the UK. Jon Hare’s passion for creating amazing games has made him an iconic figure in the gaming industry. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the story behind Jon Hare, his career, and how he has become such a prominent personality in the gaming world.

1. Jon Hare’s Early Years and Passion for Gaming

Jon Hare was born on April 20, 1966, in London, England. His love for video games started at an early age when he would play arcade games, such as Space Invaders, at a local pizza restaurant. Jon’s first home console was the Intellivision, which he received when he was eight years old. This is where his love for gaming grew, with titles such as Astrosmash and Night Stalker among his favorites.

In the early 1980s, Jon Hare started his career in the gaming industry by working for a software development company named Imagine Software. He contributed to the development of several games, but his first significant success was in 1986, with the release of the game “Hyper Sports” for Imagine Software. The game became a big hit, and Jon earned his reputation as a talented game developer.

2. Founding Sensible Software with Chris Yates

In 1986, Jon Hare, together with Chris Yates, created Sensible Software. The two developers had met while working for Imagine Software and decided to start their own company. The goal was to create innovative and entertaining games that were different from the standard arcade games of the time.

The studio’s first game, “Parallax,” was released in 1986 and was critically acclaimed. However, the company’s breakthrough came with the release of “Wizball” in 1987, which was a commercial success, selling over 150,000 copies.

3. Sensible Software’s Classic Games

Sensible Software’s games were known for their addictiveness, humor, and innovation. The company developed a range of classic games throughout the 1990s, such as “Megalomania,” “Sensible Soccer,” and “Cannon Fodder.”

“Sensible Soccer” was one of the studio’s most popular games, which featured a top-down view of a soccer field and became a cult classic among soccer fans. “Cannon Fodder,” released in 1993, was a violent military-themed game that satirized war and became a polarizing game in the UK.

4. Jon Hare’s Innovative Game Development Techniques

Jon Hare was known for his innovative techniques in game development. He focused on creating games that were both fun and challenging, with simple controls and gameplay that could engage players for hours. Jon’s philosophy was to create games with soul, which he believed would lead to greater popularity and success.

In an interview, Jon Hare stated: “I’ve always believed that the more soul a game has, the more it resonates with people. You can love a game even if it’s relatively simple, as long as it has a soul.” This is evident in his classic games, which had unique gameplay and stood out from the crowd.

5. Jon Hare’s Later Career

Sensible Software closed its doors in 1999, and Jon Hare moved on to work on other gaming projects. In 2003, he founded Tower Studios, which developed games for mobile phones. In 2011, he joined the social gaming platform, Gala Networks Europe, as the creative director.

In 2016, Jon Hare announced the development of a new version of “Sensible Soccer” for modern consoles, which was released in 2020. The game received positive reviews and was praised for its nostalgic gameplay and updated features.

6. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is Jon Hare known for?
A1. Jon Hare is known for being the iconic game developer and co-founder of Sensible Software. He is known for his contribution to the gaming industry, especially with classic games, such as “Sensible Soccer,” “Cannon Fodder,” and “Megalomania.”

Q2. What is Sensible Software?
A2. Sensible Software was a UK-based game development studio co-founded by Jon Hare and Chris Yates in 1986. It was known for creating entertaining and innovative games such as “Sensible Soccer,” “Cannon Fodder,” and “Megalomania.”

Q3. How did Jon Hare start his career in game development?
A3. Jon Hare started his career by working for Imagine Software in the early 1980s. He contributed to the development of several games, but his first significant success was in 1986 with the release of “Hyper Sports.”

Q4. What are Jon Hare’s innovative game development techniques?
A4. Jon Hare focused on creating games that were both fun and challenging with simple controls and engaging gameplay. He believed in creating games with soul and unique gameplay that stood out from the crowd.

Q5. What is Jon Hare’s philosophy in game development?
A5. Jon Hare believed that games with soul would resonate more with players, leading to greater popularity and success. He focused on creating games that were innovative, engaging, and fun.

Q6. What are Jon Hare’s recent projects?
A6. In 2016, Jon Hare announced the development of a new version of “Sensible Soccer” for modern consoles, which was released in 2020. He has also worked on other gaming projects, such as mobile games and serving as creative director for social gaming platforms.

Q7. What is the impact of Jon Hare’s work in the gaming industry?
A7. Jon Hare has made a significant impact on the gaming industry with his innovative and addictive games. His classic games, such as “Sensible Soccer,” “Cannon Fodder,” and “Megalomania,” have become cult classics, with dedicated followings even years after their release.

7. Conclusion

Jon Hare’s contribution to the gaming industry is evident in the success of his classic games and his reputation as an iconic game developer. His innovative techniques, passion for game development, and belief in creating games with soul have made him a prominent personality in the gaming world.

Jon Hare’s legacy continues to inspire new game developers to create innovative and engaging games that entertain players worldwide. Anyone looking to pursue a career in game development can learn from Jon Hare’s success story, which shows that dedication, passion, and hard work can lead to great success in the gaming industry.

So next time you’re playing a video game, remember Jon Hare and his contribution to the gaming industry. Who knows, you might be playing one of his classic games!