Roger Kean, Co-Founder of Zzap!64 and Crash Magazines, Passes Away

The gaming community is mourning the loss of Roger Kean, a pioneering co-founder of influential UK gaming magazines Zzap!64 and Crash. According to reports from Fusion R Gamer, Kean's passing is attributed to complications from motor neuron disease. Kean's career in gaming media began in 1983 when he co-founded Newsfield Publications with Franco Frey and Oliver Frey, focusing on coverage of games for iconic platforms such as the Commodore 64, CPC, and ZX Spectrum. Following the acquisition of Newsfield by Europress in 1991, Kean played a pivotal role in the launch of Impact Magazine and subsequently oversaw the publication of Sega Force, N-Force, and Amiga Force. He later co-founded Archetype, a venture aimed at producing comprehensive gaming guidebooks, which was acquired by Prima Communications Group in 1995. In his later years, Kean explored novel publishing online and managed the oliverfreyart.com website. Chris Wilkins of Fusion R Gamer shared heartfelt condolences, reflecting on Kean's resilience and their long-standing friendship. "Roger was a fighter, and over the 16 years I knew him, we shared many open and honest conversations, including his courageous battle with MND," Wilkins said.