Hewson Consultants Respawns Into Videogames After 25 Year Absence

Hewson Consultants, a studio that was to incubate several alumni that are now well known in the industry and considered pioneers, is now back after 25 years.

Between 1981 and 1991, Hewson published several games including Avalon, Pararoid, Nablus, and Zarathustra for the Sinclair, ZX80, and ZX8. Namesake founder, Andrew Hewson closed the company in 1991 and began a new company called 21st Century Entertainment, best known for their pinball titles in the 16-bit era.

After a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2013, Hewson Consultants was re-opened so that Andrew Hewson could publish a memoir of shorts in the book, Hints and Tips for Videogame Pioneers, which is scheduled to be release sometime this year.

Previously mentioned, several current studio heads started their humble beginnings at Hewson Consultants, such as the original founders of DICE, Dominic Robinson, Andrew Braybrook, Raff Cecco, John Phillips, and Steve Turner.

Mr. Hewson will be involved in the newly founded company, though not in the same capacity. His son, Rob Hewson now a former game director at TT Fusion, will be taking the helm as CEO and Creative Director. John Ogden will fill the technical director chair, and senior Hewson will be both the finance director and chairman.

'I’m delighted to be joining the company I grew up with,' said Rob Hewson of his appointment. 'Our aim is simple – to develop and publish original, innovative games once again. We are extremely fortunate to have a small but hugely passionate community of retro gamers behind us, and we are excited to take them along on this journey.'

Hewson Consultants has already revealed their first game, Mechinus, a puzzle platformer set in a steampunk environment. Earlier today, the company learned that the were winners in the first round of the UK Games Fund and will receive a grant of up to £50,000 (approx. $72,100).