Like many 8-bit software houses in the UK, the Hewson journey began with one of Sinclair’s idiosyncratic computers. Stirred by the arrival of the ZX80, Andrew Hewson began studying the micro, determined to overcome his writing issues and create a book of tips and hints for the Sinclair computer. Wholeheartedly believing that computers were the future, Andrew followed up Hints & Tips For The ZX80 with an equivalent for the ZX81, selling both via mail order as his newly formed company, Hewson Consultants.
Like many a bedroom coder, Andrew’s fledgling business initially operated out of his spare bedroom as he continued his fulltime job. The 1981 ZX Microfair cemented his belief in the popularity of computers. Soon after, the publisher EMAP approached him to write a column in its new computing magazine, Sinclair User. The result, Hewson’s Helpline, catapulted Andrew into homes throughout the country, and by the time the ZX Spectrum became a breakout success for Sinclair, Hewson was receiving masses of cassettes from hopeful game developers. The most significant of these was Mike Male, an air-traffic controller by day and coder of relatively complex flight sims such as Pilot (on the ZX81) and Nightflite (ZX Spectrum) in his spare time. The success of the latter led to Andrew investing further in cassette duplication.
By 1983, Hewson had expanded enough for Andrew to leave his job, take on some full-time staff and move from its small office in Wallingford to a 2,000-square-foot warehouse just outside Didcot. The ZX Spectrum had given the computer-games market a huge impetus – especially in the UK – and one particular cassette submission fortified Hewson’s burgeoning reputation as a Spectrum specialist. The game was 3D Space-Wars, and its author, Steve Turner, would go on to become an intrinsic part of Hewson’s success.
As Hewson built its catalogue, Steve’s business partner, Andrew Braybrook, discovered a love of the Spectrum’s rival, the Commodore 64. As Steve created technically impressive games such as Avalon and Dragontorc, the balance of power shifted with Andrew Braybrook’s triple assault of Gribbly’s Day Out, Paradroid and Uridium. All three games were well-received, and in the latter’s case, a solid gold sales hit. As a result, Hewson had an enviable catalogue for the two biggest home computers in the UK.
The software house had also acquired a reputation for high-quality and innovative games and was able to tempt ace programmers such as Raffaele Cecco to work on its behalf. The hits were non-stop. Shoot-’em-ups Zynaps, Cybernoid, Netherworld and Marauder; run-and-gunners Exolon and Stormlord; and pioneering games such as Nebulus and Eliminator. All these were critically acclaimed and released during Hewson’s golden period between 1987 to 1989.
Sadly, like many 8-bit publishers, Hewson struggled with the increasing costs of the subsequent 16-bit era. Yet for ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 fans in particular, its name will be fondly remembered forever for its remarkably consistent run
