Sensible Software
Innovation from Chelmsford
Jon Hare and Chris Yates built Sensible Software into a creative powerhouse, from Wizball to Sensible Soccer to Cannon Fodder.
Overview
Sensible Software started in a bedroom in Chelmsford, Essex, and became one of Britain’s most respected developers. Jon Hare and Chris Yates created games that were innovative, polished, and often strange—Wizball’s surreal colour-collecting, Sensible Soccer’s overhead football, Cannon Fodder’s darkly humorous warfare. They proved small teams could create industry-defining work.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1986 by Jon Hare and Chris Yates.
- Location: Chelmsford, Essex, England.
- Early work: Parallax, Wizball, Microprose Soccer.
- Breakthrough: Sensible Soccer (1992), simplified football to its essence.
- Controversy: Cannon Fodder (1993), criticised for its poppy imagery and anti-war message.
- Later years: acquired by Codemasters (1999); brand retired.
The early years
Hare and Yates met at school and began programming together:
- Sold early games to Galactic Software
- Refined their craft through numerous releases
- Wizball (1987) announced their arrival—innovative gameplay, excellent Martin Galway soundtrack
Sensible Soccer
Their football game stripped the sport to its core:
- Tiny players: bird’s-eye view, minimal detail, maximum readability.
- Aftertouch: curve the ball after kicking—revolutionary at the time.
- Speed: matches played fast, suited to quick sessions.
- Success: sold millions, became the football game of the 16-bit era.
Sensible World of Soccer (1994) added career mode with every real player and club—a database achievement as much as a game.
Cannon Fodder
Their most controversial work combined:
- Cute graphics: tiny soldiers, green fields, simple visuals.
- Dark subject: soldiers died permanently; a hill of graves tracked losses.
- Remembrance imagery: the poppy on the box art drew criticism from the Royal British Legion.
- Anti-war message: “War has never been so much fun” was deliberately provocative.
The game forced players to confront the human cost of warfare while enjoying the action—uncomfortable by design.
The Sensible style
Their games shared characteristics:
- Minimalist graphics: small sprites, clear readability, character through animation.
- Innovative mechanics: aftertouch, colour-collecting, squad persistence.
- Humour: irreverent, sometimes dark, always present.
- Polish: games felt complete, balanced, refined.
Legacy
Sensible Software proved creativity mattered more than size. Their innovations—overhead sports games, emotional stakes in action games, accessibility through simplicity—influenced developers worldwide. When the studio closed, it left behind a catalogue that still inspires.