Newsfield
CRASH and ZZAP! publishers
The UK publishing company founded by Roger Kean that produced the definitive 8-bit gaming magazines CRASH (Spectrum) and ZZAP!64 (C64), setting standards for enthusiast gaming press.
Overview
Newsfield was a UK publishing company founded by Roger Kean in 1984. It produced the definitive gaming magazines for the 8-bit era—CRASH for the Sinclair ZX Spectrum and ZZAP!64 for the Commodore 64—establishing standards for enthusiast gaming press that influenced the industry for decades.
Fast Facts
- Founder: Roger Kean
- Location: Ludlow, UK
- Key publications: CRASH, ZZAP!64
- Era: 1984-1991
- Legacy: Defined enthusiast press
Publications
| Magazine | Platform | Run |
|---|---|---|
| CRASH | ZX Spectrum | 1984-1992 |
| ZZAP!64 | Commodore 64 | 1985-1992 |
| LM | Technology | 1987-1988 |
Editorial Philosophy
Newsfield magazines shared:
| Quality | Implementation |
|---|---|
| Enthusiasm | Genuine passion for games |
| Community | Reader involvement |
| Quality coverage | Detailed reviews |
| Visual identity | Oliver Frey artwork (CRASH) |
Key People
| Person | Role |
|---|---|
| Roger Kean | Founder, driving force |
| Oliver Frey | Cover artist (CRASH) |
| Julian Rignall | ZZAP!64 editor |
| Gary Penn | ZZAP!64 reviewer |
Business Model
Newsfield succeeded through:
- Passionate enthusiast coverage
- Cover tapes adding value
- Strong reader community
- Distinctive magazine personalities
Legacy
Newsfield proved that small, focused publishers could produce superior enthusiast content. Its magazines remain the definitive record of the 8-bit golden age.