About Squeaky Wheel
Squeaky Wheel Studio is an independent game development studio, co-developer, and publishing partner of indie management/strategy/simulation games for the PC. Founded by a team of 3 in 2015, it is currently operated by BAFTA Award winning Filipino artist and entrepreneur Ryan Sumo.
Ryan has worked for 15 years in the industry starting from J2me mobile games before going freelance and creating artwork for cult classic indie games Spacechem and Prison Architect. He cofounded Squeaky Wheel in 2015, which released games like Political Animals and Academia : School Simulator, and published Ruinarch. Academia : School Simulator IP was sold to Paradox Interactive in 2022.
Ryan joined PDX as a Business Owner to manage franchises like Stellaris, Europa Universalis IV, and Victoria 3, befor returning to indie games in 2024.
Outside of game he was a cofounder of Urban Sketchers Philippines and you can find his artowrk on Instagram.
History and Former Members
Squeaky Wheel was incorporated in 2015 by Ryan Sumo, Tristan Angeles, and Marnielle Estrada in order to release the game Political Animals. Like many veteran game developers, they had a dream to release their own IP into the world, as well as prove that it was possible for a Philippine independent game studio to be sustainable. After the successful release of Academia : School Simulator and Ruinarch and the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic, the team decided to part ways.
This is a list of people who have worked for the company and where they are now.
Tristan Angeles - Design director and COFOUNDER
Previously Worked at Gameloft Philippines where he designed key content for such titles as NFL Pro 2014 and Order and Chaos Duels. Won the Gameful Game Design Challenge 8 community and judge’s choice awards for his game In the Court of the Spider King, which explores power structures in workplaces. At Squeaky Wheel he made sure our games found the fun for our players. Currently in Japan seeking to fulfill his dream of working at Square Enix.
marnel estrada - Technical director and COFOUNDER
A Senior Programmer at Synergy 88 and Anino Playlab, where he was the programmer for games like Despicable Me : Minion Mania. Independent developer who released a Tower Defense game called Warrior Defense on Android. IGDA Philippines chairperson 2014-2015. At Squeaky Wheel he ensured our builds were both efficient and stable while lending his knowledge to our junior programmers. Currently working at King Art Games in Bremen, Germany.
JAN MICHAEL LIM - PROGRAMMER
Dreamed of being a pro-gamer and settled for the next best thing, making games. Currently working at General Interactive.
NEIL MARK CORRE - PROGRAMMER
Started making games since high school and participated in game jams such as Ludum Dare, Weekly Game Jam, and the Goethe-Institut Philippinen Games and Politics Game Jam last 2017. Currently working at King Art Games in Bremen, Germany.
MARICA UCHIDA - FINANCE AND OPERATIONS
With a background in IT and an entrepreneurial mindset, Marica ensured that Squeaky Wheel`s gears were running smoothly so that everyone else could focus on what they did best. Currently COO and cofounder of Indigo Research
DON BOLANTE - PROGRAMMER
Squeaky Wheel’s first hire, Don helped with the programming of Political Animals and Academia : School Simulator before moving on to start his own endeavours.
RAINA ABADILLA - DIGITAL MARKETING
Raina set the tone for digital marketing initiatives where once there was only chaos. Currently working as a Production Coordinator for Play’n GO.