Squeakross: Home Squeak Home

Project Overview

Squeakross: Home Squeak Home is the second title from Montreal-based indie duo, Alblune. The game combines nonogram puzzles with interior decorating to create a casual experience for both Picross veterans and newcomers. Premiering at the Wholesome Direct in 2024, Squeakross would be the team’s first self-published title, and they entrusted Starfall PR to make it a success. This rodent-sized game set milestones of epic proportions. The game launched with 47,000 wishlists on Steam and sold 10,000 copies in its first week. Squeakross was featured on ‘New & Trending’ for six days following the launch, propelled by its overwhelmingly positive Steam reviews and critic feedback. The Switch port, a shadow drop alongside the PC version, earned the game a Metacritic score. Following their initial announcement and leading to its launch a year later, Starfall was there for Squeakross every step of the way.

The Task

Alblune signed with Starfall PR in August 2024 for help with marketing their next launch, Squeakross: Home Squeak Home. As their first self-published game, Starfall was responsible for all marketing and self-publishing services.

Provide regular announcements to press and creators, keeping Squeakross in the news cycle.

Create a marketing campaign for the game’s demo with a focus on media and creator previews, as well as pushing reviews on the demo’s Steam page.

Organize a campaign for the Switch port, which would shadow drop alongside the PC port

Manage a review campaign, and, crucially, securing a Metacritic score

Organize collaborations with local small animal sanctuaries to fit the game’s theme and messaging

The Results

Squeakross was a hit with the press and creators alike. With the help of Starfall PR, Squeakross generated over 100 pieces of coverage with an overall reach of 3.06 Million Unique Monthly Visitors!

Over 100 pieces of news coverage including Gematsu, Nintendo Everything, and GoNintendo.
47,000 Steam wishlists at launch
10,000 copies sold in the first week
Partnership with animal sanctuaries that snowballed into a charity stream to raise money for rodent research
Coordinated press with Wholesome Games, featuring a shadow drop covered by Game Rant, TheGamer, The Verge, and more.
17 critic reviews including outlets like Digital Trends and Inverse, culminating in a Metacritic score for the Switch port

“When I call it a perfect picross game, I really mean that. It’s one of the only ones I’ve played in recent years that embraces how comforting the genre is to fans and builds that out into a cozy getaway that isn’t just trying to deliver a cold list of puzzles. It doesn’t just use its wholesome label as an empty fashion statement; it is a force for good in these dark times. Squeakcross can save the world. Or at least it can save me right now.”

Digital Trends

“Despite my love of rats, I initially ignored Squeakross when it landed on Switch and PC earlier this month, thinking it would be one more picross game I played once or twice and never touched again. Instead, it’s become all I want to play lately, and may very well have opened the door to the entire genre for me.”

Inverse

“… Squeakross: Home Squeak Home offers a fresh take on a nonogram game. The character and home customization really provide an incentive to solve puzzles. The quality of life features and controls work well, so you could easily play with a controller. It’s a cute approach to a classic puzzle genre with plentiful play incentives.”

Siliconera

” [Squeakross] has quickly become my favourite nonogram game, and if you’ve been looking for something to scratch that itch, welcome to your new home squeak home. On the other hand, if you’ve never tried a nonogram before, I can’t think of a cleaner or more fun introduction for you.”

GameGrin

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Squeakross: Home Squeak Home

Project Overview

The Task

The Results

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