Groundhog Day is getting a sequel in the form of a virtual reality game

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https://www.joblo.com/movie-news/groundhog-day-is-getting-a-sequel-in-form-of-virtual-reality-game

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Movie studios have been wasting no time going back through their catalog of films looking for properties to resurrect in one form or another, whether they be potential franchises or just adored classics that could be given a modern spin. That means if there was ever a time to make a follow-up to the comedyGROUNDHOG DAY, now is it, and that’s exactly what we’re getting. That may burn a fire under your bottom, but does it make any difference that the sequel doesn’t come in the form of a movie, but a virtual reality video game? Yes, what a weird story you clicked on.



The VR game, “Groundhog Day: Like Father, Like Son,” lets players control the character Phil Connors Jr., the son of Phil Connors and Rita Hanson from the 1993 movie starring Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell. Like his dear ol’ dad, Jr. is stuck in a time loop on Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney where he must figure out how to break the cycle, and thus learn the heartwarming lesson about family and love. With this reveal comes a trailer featuring some gameplay, and if you were hoping to see some Murray in video game form, prepare to regret your recent decisions.


Giving the players choices in how they approach the storyline the game includes eight hours of “hilarious puzzles and branching narrative gameplay,”featuring “event-driven interactivity that opens up new paths, new character interactions, new puzzle moments, and flashbacks as you continue to tell your story.” That means if you ever wanted to know what it’s like to live the life of Bill Murray’s son, now you have the opportunity.

The developers of the game spoke with Variety about the game, with Jake Zim, senior vice president of the Sony Pictures VR group, saying its all about expanding on the narrative, which also includes the recent stage musical adaptation of the movie.

“We are not developing a new ‘Groundhog Day’ movie. This is us expanding the storyline into a new format. We’ve taken ‘Groundhog Day’ and put it into a musical, now we’re putting it into an immersive experience.”



So GROUNDHOG DAY fans, is this the sequel you always imagined you would get? Does this make you want to buy a VR headset, or does it make you want to throw out every piece of technology you own and go live up in the woods and chop trees?
 
From the teaser, I'd actually be fairly intrigued. You could seriously make a fun Monkey Island-type adventure game out of this concept and the humor certainly sounds like it's somewhere in there.

But it's VR. It's restricted to a piece of equipment that was dead on arrival because it's always hampered by a few blue-eyed bastards complaining about motion sickness so the gameplay puts immersion in the backseat to teleportation gimmicks (games like Dreadhalls are awesome, let the players use regular controls for these things, ffs)

Second But: It's from Sony? I saw the Oculus and Vive logos at the end but I'll still be amazed if this isn't some Playstation exclusive which makes an already exclusive game even more exclusive. Having logos on a teaser isn't a sure thing that they'll be involved in the end.

It just makes me pissed that it has to be a VR game. A VR option is fine, just give me the damn game part.
 
According to one of the writers, Bill Murray’s character actually spent 1,000 years in that limbo of a time loop.

To virtually relive the events of 1993 doesn’t sound like fun to me.
Well, it's suppose to be Phil's son, so I imagine it won't be set in 1993. I remember hearing (I think from the DVD commentary) that people who worked on the film couldn't agree how long the time loop was supposed to be to the point that it ruined friendships. Lol.

Funny, I was literally saying the other day that I hoped this movie would never get a sequel or a remake. If it had to happen however, I guess this is OK.
 
VR Adventure Games really don't appeal to me and I am a happy Vive. I instead just prefer the silly Arcade-esque style games. The Rocky VR Boxing game is fantastic.
 
Oddly enough, I would prefer a Happy Death Day game. Similar concept, but with a property I care less about being raped.
 
If Telltale hadn't closed last year, I wouldn't have bothered clicking this thread.

Sounds like a neat idea, but I don't know how they'll make it without unbelievable levels of tediousness from just the nature of the situation.
 
Andie MacDowell was cast as Vi Moore in 2011's Footloose remake.

That, people, is perfect casting.
 
According to one of the writers, Bill Murray’s character actually spent 1,000 years in that limbo of a time loop.

To virtually relive the events of 1993 doesn’t sound like fun to me.
Actually, opinions varied on how long he was supposed to be stuck there. The most likely guess is that it's between 10 years and 40 years.
 
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So it's Majora's Mask 2?

I'd be interested if it wasn't VR. There doesn't seem to be any reason for making this game VR.
 
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I'd always heard the official decision was 10,000 years in the time loop. That movie is great, by the way. It still holds up.

As for this, it could be great as well. But if it's going to be exclusive to PSVR that means spending $200+ for the extra equipment. Nobody who doesn't already own it will buy it for Groundhog Day.

So here's hoping there's a TV screen option like Resident Evil 7. Otherwise this game has no chance.

Real question: Are they getting Chris Elliot?
 
I'd always heard the official decision was 10,000 years in the time loop. That movie is great, by the way. It still holds up.

As for this, it could be great as well. But if it's going to be exclusive to PSVR that means spending $200+ for the extra equipment. Nobody who doesn't already own it will buy it for Groundhog Day.

So here's hoping there's a TV screen option like Resident Evil 7. Otherwise this game has no chance.

Real question: Are they getting Chris Elliot?
From what I understand, yeah, 10,000 years was the original plan. But the writers decided to go with just 10 years. Also the script reveals that it was his ex in the film who caused the loop via a curse.
 
https://www.neatorama.com/2012/02/01/why-did-bill-murray-keep-going-back-in-groundhog-day/
The screenplay also specifies that Phil will spend the next 10,000 years (Holy cow!) trapped in the time loop. It also has a more definite answer as to why he comes out of it. It was apparently the kiss with Rita at the end of the film that broke the spell, much like a fairy tale. Even in the final filmed version, you can hear a tinkly magic sound as Phil and Rita lock lips.
Yep, 10,000 years in the first version. Also, true love's kiss? That's nice, but I hope it was "good deeds+kiss" that did it rather than just the kiss by itself.
 
https://www.neatorama.com/2012/02/01/why-did-bill-murray-keep-going-back-in-groundhog-day/

Yep, 10,000 years in the first version. Also, true love's kiss? That's nice, but I hope it was "good deeds+kiss" that did it rather than just the kiss by itself.

I hope it was good deeds/self-improvement as well. Remember Phil starts off as a bitter, cynical asshole. At his worst he tries to manipulate Rita into bed with his new omnipotence and dialogue tree resets (and gets slapped several dozen times for it.)

Then he starts getting nicer. At first it's a means to break out of the time loop, but gradually it becomes part of his personality. He makes the best of his situation by furthering his knowledge. At the end Rita falls in love with the person he's evolved into, not just his mad piano skills. And he wakes up with her the next day having made the world around him brighter.
 
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