# Sensible Software

> defunct British video game developer

**Wikidata**: [Q2290725](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2290725)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensible_Software)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sensible-software

## Summary
Sensible Software was a British video game developer founded in 1986 and based in Chelmsford, United Kingdom. The company was co-founded by Jon Hare and Chris Yates, and operated until its dissolution in 1999. Known for creating popular titles across multiple platforms, Sensible Software left a lasting impact on the video game industry during its 13-year run.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1986 by Jon Hare and Chris Yates in Chelmsford, United Kingdom
- Dissolved in 1999 after 13 years of operation
- Specialized in video game development as its primary industry
- Headquarters located at coordinates 51.7361° N, 0.4798° E in Chelmsford
- Produced software products for various gaming platforms
- Listed in multiple gaming databases including MobyGames (ID: 149), GameFAQs (ID: 13131), and Metacritic (ID: sensible-software)
- Has Wikipedia presence in 7 languages: German, English, Finnish, French, Italian, Polish, and others
- Identified by various industry IDs including OGDB (ID: 1696), UVL (ID: 111), and Kultboy (ID: 112)

### Q: When was Sensible Software founded and when did it close?
A: Sensible Software was founded in 1986 and dissolved in 1999, operating for 13 years before closing.

### Q: Who founded Sensible Software?
A: Sensible Software was co-founded by Jon Hare and Chris Yates in Chelmsford, United Kingdom.

### Q: What type of company was Sensible Software?
A: Sensible Software was a video game developer that specialized in creating software for various gaming platforms.

### Q: Where was Sensible Software located?
A: Sensible Software was headquartered in Chelmsford, United Kingdom, at coordinates 51.7361° N, 0.4798° E.

### Q: What industry was Sensible Software part of?
A: Sensible Software operated in the video game industry, developing software products for gaming platforms.

## Why It Matters
Sensible Software represents an important chapter in British video game development history, operating during a golden era of the industry's growth. As a UK-based developer that successfully competed internationally, the company contributed to establishing Britain as a significant player in global game development. The company's 13-year lifespan coincided with the rapid evolution of gaming technology, from early home computers to more advanced consoles, allowing Sensible Software to adapt and innovate across multiple platforms. Its presence in numerous gaming databases and multilingual Wikipedia coverage demonstrates its lasting recognition within the gaming community. The company's dissolution in 1999 also marks a point of transition in the industry, as many independent developers faced increasing pressure from larger publishers and changing market dynamics during this period.

## Notable For
- Being a pioneering British video game developer that operated successfully for 13 years
- Co-founding by Jon Hare, a notable figure in the UK game development scene
- Maintaining headquarters in Chelmsford, establishing a regional development hub outside major metropolitan areas
- Creating software products that earned recognition across multiple international gaming platforms
- Being documented in extensive gaming databases with unique identifiers across major industry resources

## Body
### Founding and Early Years
Sensible Software was established in 1986 in Chelmsford, United Kingdom, by Jon Hare and Chris Yates. The company emerged during a period of rapid growth in the home computer gaming market, with the founders bringing their programming and design expertise to create games for popular platforms of the era.

### Operational Period
Throughout its 13-year operation from 1986 to 1999, Sensible Software developed and released multiple video game titles across various platforms. The company maintained its headquarters in Chelmsford throughout its existence, establishing itself as a regional development center in the UK.

### Industry Recognition
The company achieved recognition within the gaming industry, earning listings in major gaming databases including MobyGames (ID: 149), GameFAQs (ID: 13131), and Metacritic (ID: sensible-software). These listings demonstrate the company's established presence and the industry's documentation of its contributions.

### Geographic and Cultural Context
Based in Chelmsford, Sensible Software represented UK game development outside of traditional industry centers like London or Manchester. This geographic positioning contributed to the diverse landscape of British game development during the late 20th century.

### Legacy and Documentation
Sensible Software's legacy is preserved through its presence in multiple languages on Wikipedia (German, English, Finnish, French, Italian, Polish) and its documentation across various gaming databases. The company's dissolution in 1999 marks it as part of the transitional period in game development history, bridging the gap between early independent development and the modern industry structure.

## References

1. LastDodo
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. National Software Reference Library
4. VideoGameGeek