Bonus Question: How would you escape a time loop? If it was purely science based, I'd be screwed. Even given infinite time, I'm pretty sure I'll never understand theoretical physics or advanced engineering enough to fix time. But if it's a moral time loop, I would figure out what my weakest personality traits are and dedicate my days to growing as a person through demonstrable action. The hardest part would be not being able to write down what I've already tried, because I have a bad memory.
🌴 Highlights: going back and realizing there was a secret ending after reading one of the comments!
⏰ Favorite time loop movie: You can't beat Groundhog Day, but Edge of Tomorrow was fantastic (as was the light-novel it was based on, All You Need is Kill). I've been meaning to watch Palm Springs.
✅ What I would do in a time loop: I would probably learn to draw, akin to Bill Murray learning to play the piano in GD. I think I would get frustrated by trying to improve as a writer when you can't take any of your work into the next day, and writing the best short story in history to me is not that exciting. Or alternatively learn martial arts and then fight crime at night eventually as a masked vigilante!
How I would escape the time loop: Using my martial arts + detective skills, I would solve a cold case from 5 years ago (so the killer is still out there being bad), and fight him in an epic duel on a rooftop while it is raining. When the lightning strikes a tall building behind us at midnight, the time loop will end.
Glad you took another loop to get the ~ending~ ending!
I'm in the opposite, movie-wise. I thought Palm Springs was fantastic and I've been meaning to watch Edge of Tomorrow.
Learning martial arts is a great idea. It's like the "kung fu" scene in The Matrix, only you're downloading the info to your brain on a 24k dialup modem. I think you'd make an excellent crime fighter. Would you bother with a secret identity or no?
I love Cristin Miloti from her time on How I Met Your Mother and in the musical Once, so I need to get around to watching it. I just saw that she is in a new show on Peacock called The Resort written by the Palm Springs writer and also starring Chidi from The Good Place. Might have to subscribe to watch that!
Yes, exactly! I am working in a similar idea into my book series, but in a slightly different way (reliving people's memories and learning their skills). Hmm, I think I would have to have a secret identity because cameras are ubiquitous in NYC and I'd get caught pretty fast!
I really loved this one! First, I saved the cake & the waiter. Sure, I was sort of cheating because I knew what was going to happen, but damn it, I felt like a real baller & shot caller, which is what counts! I took that joy and I doubled down by sharing the glory of the pool with my "cousins." But just to prove to myself that I'm not entirely selfless, I took a little me time at the end and blew up the firework factory! Good times.
As for my favorite time loop movie, I gotta go with Groundhog Day. I like time loop movies, but that's the only one I want to watch on loop. Actually, I have watched it on loop, thanks to some questionable basic cable programming decisions and even more questionable life choices.
Now, as for what I'd do if I realized I was in a time loop, I guess I'd go for something low stakes like eating terrible food, or throwing objects off the roof, Letterman-style. I'd have to work up to the real daredevil stuff like walking along the train tracks or stealing a helicopter.
Thanks for playing! So glad you enjoyed your time loop getaway. I like your approach: a kind act for them, a kind act for me (though even in being selfless, you still got something out of it, which is telling).
Haha, yeah, Groundhog Day is the GOAT. One of the greatest film comedies of all-time. I'm probably due for another couple rewatches myself.
Throwing objects off a roof with no consequences sounds like a fun couple of months, at least. Daredevil is a strong time loop life plan.
Blowing up the fireworks factory again, and again, and again ⏳🧨🎇🔥🎆⌛️
I'm an agent of chaos... look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair 😈🎭🃏
⏰ What’s your favorite time loop movie, show, book, or game?
Funny you ask, I'm actually going to do a piece (maybe even a series) on time loops for G&W Volume 4! I've been playing Outer Wilds a lot recently, and it's such a delightful game with lots of great lore and (of course) the mystery of the time loop. The Forgotten City is another good time looping game that's a bit more "earthly."
As far as movies go, there can only be one: Groundhog Day!
✅ What’s the first thing you’d do upon realizing you were in a time loop?
First things first: play the lottery. Second: buy an island and bring the family and a few friends. Third: play every game in existence, one day at a time (while drinking ALL the wine!).
As to how I'd escape it, I'd take my chances with creating a paradox. Sure, maybe spacetime itself would crash, but maybe if I can stop whatever triggers the time loop, then there'd be no need for me to keep going back in time repeatedly, thus my life would continue as normal. I'd be willing to take that chance once I got sufficiently bored with immortality.
The fireworks factory is thoroughly DESTROYED. You're the *opposite* of Itchy & Scratchy.
Time loops would be a great subject for G&W. Looking forward to reading that article! I just started The Outer Worlds, a game that's not about time loops that I can't help but always confuse with Outer Wilds.
Groundhog Day is the best, but I hear good things about Edge of Tomorrow.
You'd have to win the lottery and buy that island pretty fast. It's kind of a Brewster's Millions scenario, but you also have to get the money, too. Maybe if you're rich enough, you can pay "expediting fees" to get an island fast.
Be sure to have a robot next to you when you create the paradox, so you can watch it go haywire.
I decided to be a complete ass on the first try, just for funsies. But then I decided to be a stand up citizen the next time. Felt good. Blowing stuff up also felt good so I’m not really sure I’d get out of the loop. It’s too much fun and I loooove a good hotel breakfast.
Bonus Question: How would you escape a time loop? If it was purely science based, I'd be screwed. Even given infinite time, I'm pretty sure I'll never understand theoretical physics or advanced engineering enough to fix time. But if it's a moral time loop, I would figure out what my weakest personality traits are and dedicate my days to growing as a person through demonstrable action. The hardest part would be not being able to write down what I've already tried, because I have a bad memory.
I actually escaped on the first try. That's what I get for being a nice guy? :)
Is that the only ending? If I act like a jerk over and over, is there another ending?
Thanks for playing! Haha, congrats on being a cool dude. Adventure Snack is chock full of mixed success endings.
** SPOILER? **
There are two other what I'll call "semi-endings." I think it's worth playing again and being a jerk.
This is a very unique and creative idea for a Substack! Love.
Thank you! Glad you enjoy it. ⚔️ 🍟
🌴 Highlights: going back and realizing there was a secret ending after reading one of the comments!
⏰ Favorite time loop movie: You can't beat Groundhog Day, but Edge of Tomorrow was fantastic (as was the light-novel it was based on, All You Need is Kill). I've been meaning to watch Palm Springs.
✅ What I would do in a time loop: I would probably learn to draw, akin to Bill Murray learning to play the piano in GD. I think I would get frustrated by trying to improve as a writer when you can't take any of your work into the next day, and writing the best short story in history to me is not that exciting. Or alternatively learn martial arts and then fight crime at night eventually as a masked vigilante!
How I would escape the time loop: Using my martial arts + detective skills, I would solve a cold case from 5 years ago (so the killer is still out there being bad), and fight him in an epic duel on a rooftop while it is raining. When the lightning strikes a tall building behind us at midnight, the time loop will end.
Glad you took another loop to get the ~ending~ ending!
I'm in the opposite, movie-wise. I thought Palm Springs was fantastic and I've been meaning to watch Edge of Tomorrow.
Learning martial arts is a great idea. It's like the "kung fu" scene in The Matrix, only you're downloading the info to your brain on a 24k dialup modem. I think you'd make an excellent crime fighter. Would you bother with a secret identity or no?
I love Cristin Miloti from her time on How I Met Your Mother and in the musical Once, so I need to get around to watching it. I just saw that she is in a new show on Peacock called The Resort written by the Palm Springs writer and also starring Chidi from The Good Place. Might have to subscribe to watch that!
Yes, exactly! I am working in a similar idea into my book series, but in a slightly different way (reliving people's memories and learning their skills). Hmm, I think I would have to have a secret identity because cameras are ubiquitous in NYC and I'd get caught pretty fast!
I'll have to check that out next time I re-subscribe to Peacock.
But if you're in a time loop, does it matter if you're caught? I think the secret identity would be more about flair at that point.
Good point!
I really loved this one! First, I saved the cake & the waiter. Sure, I was sort of cheating because I knew what was going to happen, but damn it, I felt like a real baller & shot caller, which is what counts! I took that joy and I doubled down by sharing the glory of the pool with my "cousins." But just to prove to myself that I'm not entirely selfless, I took a little me time at the end and blew up the firework factory! Good times.
As for my favorite time loop movie, I gotta go with Groundhog Day. I like time loop movies, but that's the only one I want to watch on loop. Actually, I have watched it on loop, thanks to some questionable basic cable programming decisions and even more questionable life choices.
Now, as for what I'd do if I realized I was in a time loop, I guess I'd go for something low stakes like eating terrible food, or throwing objects off the roof, Letterman-style. I'd have to work up to the real daredevil stuff like walking along the train tracks or stealing a helicopter.
Thanks for playing! So glad you enjoyed your time loop getaway. I like your approach: a kind act for them, a kind act for me (though even in being selfless, you still got something out of it, which is telling).
Haha, yeah, Groundhog Day is the GOAT. One of the greatest film comedies of all-time. I'm probably due for another couple rewatches myself.
Throwing objects off a roof with no consequences sounds like a fun couple of months, at least. Daredevil is a strong time loop life plan.
Geoffrey. I am new here but I am finding I enjoy these popping into my Substack queue and inbox more than anything.
Welcome, Clancy! Thanks for playing. I’ve got a lot more quests for your queue.
🌴 How did your infinite vacation go? Highlights?
Blowing up the fireworks factory again, and again, and again ⏳🧨🎇🔥🎆⌛️
I'm an agent of chaos... look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair 😈🎭🃏
⏰ What’s your favorite time loop movie, show, book, or game?
Funny you ask, I'm actually going to do a piece (maybe even a series) on time loops for G&W Volume 4! I've been playing Outer Wilds a lot recently, and it's such a delightful game with lots of great lore and (of course) the mystery of the time loop. The Forgotten City is another good time looping game that's a bit more "earthly."
As far as movies go, there can only be one: Groundhog Day!
✅ What’s the first thing you’d do upon realizing you were in a time loop?
First things first: play the lottery. Second: buy an island and bring the family and a few friends. Third: play every game in existence, one day at a time (while drinking ALL the wine!).
As to how I'd escape it, I'd take my chances with creating a paradox. Sure, maybe spacetime itself would crash, but maybe if I can stop whatever triggers the time loop, then there'd be no need for me to keep going back in time repeatedly, thus my life would continue as normal. I'd be willing to take that chance once I got sufficiently bored with immortality.
The fireworks factory is thoroughly DESTROYED. You're the *opposite* of Itchy & Scratchy.
Time loops would be a great subject for G&W. Looking forward to reading that article! I just started The Outer Worlds, a game that's not about time loops that I can't help but always confuse with Outer Wilds.
Groundhog Day is the best, but I hear good things about Edge of Tomorrow.
You'd have to win the lottery and buy that island pretty fast. It's kind of a Brewster's Millions scenario, but you also have to get the money, too. Maybe if you're rich enough, you can pay "expediting fees" to get an island fast.
Be sure to have a robot next to you when you create the paradox, so you can watch it go haywire.
I'm up for speedrunning the lottery and island. I'll be the forever world record holder for "Private Island, any%: Unlimited Attempts" 🏃🏻♂️💨⏱
Yeah, why *did* they have to name those two games so similarly? 😵💫
Perfect Applebee's GIF choice lol.
Hard to top Groundhog Day as a fave, but Russian Doll goes very deep in a way I love.
And I'm not sure what the first thing I'd do in a time loop is, but it'll probably be to update my email auto-reply to "?????"
BURG STROWMAN!!!
Yeah, Russian Doll brings a lot of new ideas to the time loop table, and Natasha Lyonne is just fabulous.
Haha, yup. Co-workers are getting NO responses on that day.
I decided to be a complete ass on the first try, just for funsies. But then I decided to be a stand up citizen the next time. Felt good. Blowing stuff up also felt good so I’m not really sure I’d get out of the loop. It’s too much fun and I loooove a good hotel breakfast.