Squirreled Away is an invitation to explore, build, and unwind in a world designed to bring a sense of joy and relaxation. As we approach the game’s launch, we wanted to share some insights into how this cozy squirrel adventure came to life, the challenges we faced along the way, and what’s next for our small but passionate team.
From Idea to Squirrel Adventure
Our vision for Squirreled Away was to capture the thrill of exploration found in survival games — without the stress and danger that often comes with the genre. Instead of focusing on survival mechanics, we wanted to embrace the idea of "thrival". The idea of trying to flourish in a beautiful, cozy world.
The inspiration struck during our daily commutes, watching squirrels gracefully leap from branch to branch. The way they move, the freedom they embody, and the charm of "squirreling away" treasures in their homes felt like a perfect foundation for a game. This idea aligned perfectly with our goal: to create a stress-free world where players could explore, build, and enjoy the small moments.
How It All Started
The journey began when Per-Arne Lundberg, CEO of Amplifier Game Invest, visited our school with a unique opportunity. Amplifier was looking for a small team to take on an internship that could turn into a full-fledged studio if things went well. We brainstormed for a week, pitched Squirreled Away, and got the green light to bring it to life.
As fresh graduates, our ambition was clear: get the game across the finish line while learning as much as possible. Now, with the game’s release around the corner, we can confidently say: It’s been a wild, rewarding ride!
Challenges We Faced
Looking back, we might have made things harder for ourselves by taking on some big challenges. Here are just a few of them:
- An open-world game with no combat – We had to ensure exploration, crafting, and interactions were engaging enough without traditional combat mechanics. And open world also meant we couldn't control the way the players explore as much as it would be possible with something more linear.
- A quadruped protagonist – Animating a squirrel, especially with its complex tail movements, added significant difficulty compared to a bipedal character.
- Freedom of movement – Climbing trees, leaping between branches, and navigating the park had to feel smooth and natural, which was a massive technical challenge.
- Multiplayer functionality – Synchronizing all of these systems in a multiplayer environment took a lot of extra effort.
While these choices made development trickier, they also made the game more unique. We hope players will appreciate the love and effort that went into making Squirreled Away something special.
Where We Are Now
With the demo live on Steam and full release fast approaching, we’re in the final stretch. The last part of development is all about polish — bug fixes, refinements, and ensuring the experience feels as good as possible. We’re also paying close attention to feedback from demo players, using it to fine-tune the final version.
A Small Team, A Big Dream
Building a game as a small, relatively inexperienced team has been an adventure in itself. We couldn’t have done it without Amplifier’s incredible support, especially from our producers Dante, John, and Jojje, who brought invaluable experience and guidance. This journey has been humbling, challenging, and, above all, really fun!
It still feels surreal that we’re about to release our first game. We can’t wait for you to step into the world of Squirreled Away, explore the park, and experience the cozy adventure we’ve poured our hearts into.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us! ❤️
Wishlist the game on Steam and join us for the adventure! 🐿️
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3453320/Squirreled_Away_Demo/