My name is Mikey Mills: I’m a stage-actor, writer, musician, and a long-time enthusiast of amusement parks and roller coasters. There’s nothing like a trip to a great amusement park. From the classic parks filled with history to the modern ‘thrill havens’, I love them all!
I grew up in the early 2000’s and adored all those ‘isometric’ simulation games. There was a real charm and ‘easy to pick up’ aspect that made casual creativity and gaming easy to understand while being ultimately enjoyable. The 3D ones came out a few years later and I kind of just disagreed with them.
Come 2006 – I discover “Game Maker” at 8 years old and a 3D modeling program called AC3D. I give... “Amusement Park Tycoon”... the old elementary try. I really did make animated 3D rides but there wasn’t exactly a game to it. After months of work, I proudly set up a lemonade-style stand in my front yard with maybe a dozen copies of game scattered across the table: “Amusement Park Tycoon” handwritten on each.
Well, the neighborhood bully told me that putting them in the microwave would enhance the graphics.
...
Needless to say, the project got shelved for a while, but the dream never died!
In the meantime, I grew up. I researched and found so much more about historic and modern amusement parks. It became apparent how incredible the original “Luna Park” in Coney Island or “Steeplechase” must have been. “Riverview Park” and “Euclid Beach” with their coasters and wild flat rides which must have been one incredible experience. There was a true sincerity and uniqueness to each of these places. These amusement parks weren’t run by massive corporations - they were owned by families that put real heart and effort into every part of these parks... This being something that is very rare these days.
Come earlier in 2026, I discover a tool called Claude Code... Which as a writer... I find I’m oddly really good at? At the time I started, my heart longed for a project and remembered this little amusement park game I, deep down still really wanted to make... So I did!
The grand carousel was the start and I knew exactly what I wanted: several real life variants from PTC, Dentzel, and Illions. The carousel is the heart of any amusement park, and I aimed to include the examples that people across the world connect to.
It has been a spectacular challenge, albeit an enjoyable one to describe the detailed geometry... operations... ornamentation on more decorative rides... how people ride the rides... it’s a lot! Then it’s been researching not only rides that exist, but ‘extinct’ real rides – like the insane one off ‘Tumbler’ or the classic ‘Traver Circle Swing’ which used to be at about every single amusement park. Perhaps it’s OCD, or maybe I’m just ungodly stubborn, but in reality – it’s been a dream and a passion that I’ve had 20 years to think about. It’s a love for a game that I am beyond thrilled to finally get the opportunity to make, and I cannot wait to share it with you!
