Summary
- Rockstar Games' recent success lies in its alternating release schedule of Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, catering to gamers of many types with different gameplay approaches and stories.
- The future of the Bully game series is uncertain, as it may not be a guaranteed success for Rockstar due to the changing gaming preferences and potential risks involved.
- The controversial themes of Bully, set in a school and exploring mischief and truancy, may create negative headlines for Rockstar, discouraging it from returning to the IP.
Rockstar is one of the most debated developers in gaming. Its offerings are always beautifully made and gamers all over the world revel in its open-worlds for years after their release. Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 are prime examples of this, but its liberal approach to violence and anti-social behavior can land the studio in hot water, as was seen with the aforementioned series as well as Bully.
In 2023, things seem to be going well in the game industry, with great games launching consistently, albeit with a lengthy development time between each one. Rockstar projects are a huge event in the gaming calendar regardless of whatever else releases, but while its offerings seem to have narrowed as time has gone on, Bully is a property that it likely won't return to anytime soon.
Rockstar is a GTA and Red Dead Redemption Factory
As Rockstar games take a long time to make, master, and release, the safety of the alternating GTA and Red Dead Redemption release schedule is easy to continue for years to come. Each franchise takes a different approach to the open-world genre, with Grand Theft Auto prioritizing user-generated fun, whereas the studio's western epic is far more concerned with delivering memorable characters and a heartfelt story.
They each cater to gamers of all persuasions, and their massive critical and commercial acclaim means that Rockstar has found a winning formula with them, as Red Dead Redemption 3 has been rumored since the second game hit shelves and news of Grand Theft Auto 6 reportedly coming soon. Bully wedging itself into a consistent schedule of the two franchises would be awkward, as it could set the expectation that Rockstar will make it a franchise like the other two games, something the developer might not be keen to do.
Bully Isn't a Slam Dunk
Bully is fondly remembered, having launched in between Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Grand Theft Auto 4. It provided a similar gameplay loop and core design as the aforementioned series, but in an entirely different place with new quests, characters, and activities to get involved with. In the 17 years since then, a lot of people's gaming preferences have shifted, and the reality is that Bully wouldn't be a sure thing for Rockstar. The outfit is ticking along nicely as it currently exists, and Bully might be too big a risk to take.
Bully launched in October 2006 for the PlayStation 2, with the Scholarship Edition releasing on the Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360 in 2008.
Bully's Themes are Juvenile, but Still for Adults
It's easy to understand that Grand Theft Auto's themes are for mature audiences, given its setting and characters. The age rating on the box makes that clear. However, with Bully being set in a school and exploring themes of mischief and truancy in an educational setting, the lines can feel more blurred. Rockstar has been at the center of a lot of controversy over the years, and if it is to avoid negative headlines after the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, it could be a good idea to keep Bully on the shelf.
Bully was released in PAL regions under the name Canis Canem Edit, which is Latin for 'dog eat dog'.
If Max Payne Can't Get Another Entry, Bully has No Hope
Max Payne is already a beloved series, with three mainline games telling a story that many gamers look back at with rose-tinted lenses. It offered something new for the Rockstar catalog as it had all the storytelling prowess of Red Dead Redemption, but told in a linear format where players had limited means of exploration. Its last installment was in 2012 with Max Payne 3, and since then, the closest thing to a new game is the upcoming remakes from Remedy Entertainment, but those have no clear timeline attached. Bully hasn't received any sequel at all, so it might be harder to justify returning to it over other projects.
- Released
- October 17, 2006
- ESRB
- T For Teen due to Crude Humor, Language, Sexual Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Vancouver
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Engine
- RenderWare, Gamebryo
- Multiplayer
- Local Multiplayer, Local Co-Op
