Amusement Sparks

This episode, Andrew got to interview Stefan Formentano, originator of the amazing New Hashima Collab! With over 80 contributors, from 7 countries, this enormous LEGO build is truly a spectacular example of Cyberpunk! Stefan's Instagram New Hashima's Instagram New Hashima's Merch Beyond the Brick YouTube Coverage

Penny has been a pioneer for women in the gaming space for decades, having worked professionally at TSR and Wizards of the Coast. She's also a lifelong educator AND the direct inspiration for a Marvel Comics Character! In this episode we explore her fascinating entrance into gaming and her continuing legacy!

Stephen Dinehart returns to give an update on GiantLands now that the boxed product has shipped! We discuss the power of play, identity in games and reality, and evolving through failure.

Alan Denton returns to the show to create a truly next-level theme park. On this episode, we question the ethics of Willy Wonka's tour, design a Haunted House that uses The Clapper for lighting, and ask "How is Scrub Daddy a daddy if he’s just a face?"  

David and Jordan from Shonen Flop join the podcast to brainstorm a Jojo's Theme Park! Music: 10:43 ジョジョ その血の記憶〜END OF THE WORLD--JO☆STARS 〜TOMMY,Coda,JIN〜 20:34 Bloody Stream--Coda 25:34 Roundabout--Yes 27:44 I Want You--Savage Garden  30:17 Fighting Gold English Ver.--Coda 35:10 Uragirimonono Requiem - Diavolo Ver.--Yugo Kanno  38:37 CRAZY NOISY BIZARRE TOWN--THE DU

The Saga Theme Park is here! John and Noah from the Horns & Wings Podcast join the show to turn one of the best comic series of all time into a terrifying theme park!

Buddy Duquesne from Those Happy Places returns to the show to focus on Themed Restaurants, Bars, & Cafes! This episode is a spotlight on the impact a little bit of magic can have. Enjoy 😁  

Sam Wright from SamVersusSam returns to the show to design a PS4 theme park!   13:31 Bloodborne--SIE Sound Team (from Bloodborne) 35:07 A Thief's End--Henry Jackman (from Uncharted 4)  50:51 Second Son--Marc Canham (from inFAMOUS: Second Son) 57:13 Beyond Desolation--Gustavo Santaolalla (from The Last of Us Part II) 1:04:28 Valkeries--Bear McCreary (from God of War)

Peter from The Test Reel returns to the show after over 4 years! Together we brainstorm an immersive theme park around one of Marvel's most vibrant franchises.   7:19 X-Men--Henry Jackman (From X-MEN: FIRST CLASS) 13:04 X-Men Animated Series Theme Song--Shuki Levi & Haim Saban 31:10 Logan Throught Time--Harry Gregson-Williams (From X-Men Origins: Wolverine) 46:12 Suite from X2--John Ottman (From X...

Nate Murray from The Get a Little Weird Podcast joins the show! We're both big time fans of Adventure Time and brainstorming an Adventure Time Theme Park was a blast.   Music:  12:38 Adventure Time Main Title--Adventure Time feat. Pendleton Ward 30:06 Remember You--Adventure Time feat. Olivia Olson & Tom Kenny 45:25 Secret Room--Adventure Time 50:28 Oh Fionn--Adventure Time feat. Neil Patrick Harr...

Nathan K returns to the podcast to design a heck-based theme park!   Trigger warnings:   Religious imagery Violence Death   Music featured in this episode: 10:39 Disco Inferno--The Trammps 25:57 Bad Believer--St. Vincent 32:25 (Don’t Fear) The Reaper--Blue Oyster Cult 43:25 Runnin with the Devil--the bird and the bee 55:42 You’re Sweet Six Six Six--HIM 1:03:17 They Warned Me--Okilly Dokilly 1:15:1...

Joe from Brave World Anime returns to the podcast, this time bringing the amazing horror/adventure anime Made in Abyss! This episode was recorded live at Wasabi Con Online 2020.   All songs are from the Made in Abyss Soundtrack by Kevin Penkin   6:52 To the Abyss 22:57 Those Everyday Feels 31:41 Prayer and Immolation 43:15 Walking in the Streets 

If you're into Japan, pop culture, or the power of products, you should read Pure Invention! This episode is a discussion with the author that covers those topics and more.   Check out Pure Invention at your favorite local book store!

  nic robes returns to the show to celebrate and discuss merch! Music featured in this episode: 10:00 Souvenir--Johnnyswim  19:22 The Merchandise--David Nance 32:55 Getting the Bills But No Merchandise--Clarence Carter 49:00 The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and His Magical Bag of Riffs (L’apprenti Sorcier)--The Halloween Machine  54:16 A Day in the Life--The Beatles

Ben from The Cartoncast, The Watchtower, and The Lost Omens Podcast returns to the show! On this episode, we brainstormed a theme park around the immersive fantasy RPG series, Dragon Age. Recorded live at RPG Alliance Con 2020. Music Featured in this Episode: 16:54 Dragon Age: Origins -- Inon Zur  35:15 Destiny of Love -- Oliva Orr  47:02 Blightlands -- Inon Zur  1:02:27 Dragon Age Inquisition The...

Acclaimed fantasy painter Larry Elmore is here! In this interview, Larry shares his experiences, perspective, and insights into his career.   Check out GiantLands on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

Alice White and Buddy Duquesne from Those Happy Places join to design a theme park for Atlantis: The Lost Empire and Treasure Planet!   Music featured in this episode: 9:34 12 Years Later -- James Newton Howard 22:20 I’m Still Here (Jim's Theme) -- John Rzeznik  54:02 The Leviathan -- James Newton Howard 1:12:16 Atlantis -- James Newton Howard   Social Media Links: Alice White Buddy Duquesne Those...

Sam Wright (Twitter, YouTube) returns to the program to brainstorm a WWE theme park!   Even tho it's wrestling, there's still some good music on this episode: 17:50 The Time is Now (John Cena)--WWE, John Cena, Tha Trademarc 24:13 WWE: I Won’t Do What You Tell Me (Stone Cold)--WWE, Jim Johnston 39:12 If You Smell…? (The Rock)--WWE, Jim Johnston 40:49 Real American (Hulk Hogan)--Rick Derringer 50:20...

Victoria Jeon brings the amazing MMORPG, Final Fantasy XIV to Amusement Sparks! Music featured in this episode: 3:15 Solid (from Heavensward) -- Masayoshi Soken 19:45 Black and White (from Heavensward) -- Masayoshi Soken 51:07 Freefall (from THE FAR EDGE OF FATE) -- Masayoshi Soken 59:45 Grounded (from THE FAR EDGE OF FATE) -- Masayoshi Soken 1:05:14 Magicked Skulls (from STORMBLOOD) -- Masayoshi...

Over the Garden Wall gets the Amusement Sparks treatment! Shout out to Justine and Larisa from Starship Therapise for all the design work and excellent conversation. Check out their podcast and book coming out in May! Preorder here :)  All links can be found here! Music used in this episode: 9:37 Adelaide Parade--The Blasting Company 23:39 Old North Wind--The Blasting Company  29:55 Potatoes & Mol...

Maddie Copp (@othatsraspberry) joins to design an Ace Attorney Theme Park! The Law has never been so fun!! Music in this episode: 12:03 Time For a Great Turnabout--Capcom Sound Team (From The Great Ace Attorney: The Adventure of Ryūnosuke Naruhodō)  15:35 Reasoning Battle: Behind the Scenes (Partners Story)--Yasumasa Kitagawa (From The Great Ace Attorney 2: The Resolve of Ryūnosuke Naruhodō)  25:1...

The one and only Alan Denton joins for a quaint and quirky journey through the Wes Anderson oeuvre as we weave together a dream theme park!   Music in this episode: 4:09 Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard--Paul Simon (From The Royal Tenenbaums) 15:40 The Way I Feel Inside--The Zombies (From The Life Aquatic) 31:26 Hardest Geometry Problem in the World--Mark Mothersbaugh (From Rushmore) 37:55 Thes...

Kihp from Kamen Ride With Me joins to design our Tokusatsu Theme Park! Tokusatsu is a Japanese term for special effects--this tree of genres includes basically anything with a lot of special effects, from Godzilla to Power Rangers and far beyond. This episode is ideal for fans of kaiju, action figures, and giant robots.   Music: 9:52 Destroy All Monsters--Akira Ikufube 19:46 Zordon Awakes--Brian T...

Andrew got the chance to meet Ernie Gygax (Creative Supervisor of GiantLands) to discuss his lifelong connection with "old school" RPGs. Ernie is a delight and has TONS of great stories about Dungeons & Dragons and how it's evolved over the decades. Enjoy!