New Bully Video Game Stirs Up Conflict

Tue Oct 17, 2006 3:04PM EDT

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It's not yet available, but Bully, a new video game from Rockstar Games (the U.S. distributor is Take 2, the same folks who brought you Grand Theft Auto) is causing uproar. The animated game, set at the fictitious Bullworth Academy, features a protagonist who is bullied, faces mean teachers, and encounters the nastiness of clubs and cliques. There is no beating them without joining them in this game set in a bully or be bullied world.

GameSpot, a gaming destination, reports that the Britain-based Bullying Online, an organization devoted to ending "bullying" on school grounds in the U.K., is seeking to have the game banned in the country. According to a BBC report, Bully will change the name of the U.K. release to the less offensive Canis Canem Edit (Dog Eat Dog). It is due for release on the PlayStation 2 on October 27.

Here in the U.S., members of the Washington D.C. based youth group Peaceoholics protested outside Rockstar Games' New York offices. And a Florida attorney, Jack Thompson, has sued to have the game removed from stores. In the US, the game has no rating yet because it hasn't shipped, but it's expected to receive an M for mature (over 17) audiences from the ESRB.

I watched the trailer for the game on GameSpot, and clearly it's a game about bullying that's similar in style and action to Grand Theft Auto. But this game is like your worst high school nightmare, with everything from wedgies, mean girls, and teases, to nasty cheerleaders and catty cliques. As the protagonist, you need to get strong fast as you rise through the challenges of girls that hit; mean, spiteful teachers; and gang plots to make your life miserable.

There are those who think that a game that makes "play" out of bullying is despicable. But in fairness it should be pointed out that this is not a shoot ‘em up game, and there are no guns or blood. Some experts believe it can be a healthy outlet for kids to get these sorts of fantasies out of their systems on the screen and not in the real world. On the other hand, the game shows that to survive the bully culture you need to become one.

What do you think? Will kids know that Bully is a game? Can they find it amusing and keep it in stride? Or do they learn that bullying is acceptable, fun, and even cool behavior? Would you let your teens play Bully?

 

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  • 26 Posted by jenericpaige on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    A GAME IS A GAME. IF YOU CAN'T TELL THE DIFFERENCE YOU SHOULDN'T BE PLAYING THEM. AND ON THE OTHER HAND. NOT MANY OF US CAN SAY WE HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN REAL LIFE. IT IS WHAT IT IS. GET OVER IT!!!

  • 27 Posted by markcdev on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    It really shows what a lack of Imagination rockstar games has. All the power of the current and new consoles, and this is the best they can come up with. Why not a game about ending bullying, oh wait, that would reguire imagination and work.

  • 30 Posted by theexplosion06 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    I dont see any problem with this game. If anything this game makes bullys look stupid. Its about a regular kid doing whatever he wants at school and getting back at bullys. Also, the rating system exists for a reason.

  • 31 Posted by jasoncon13 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:29PM EDT Report Abuse

    That's really cool to write scathing article about a game you've never played. I wouldn't have put my name to that either.

  • 32 Posted by jokerfishn on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    As a Gaming Store owner.. I am banning it from my shelves and being played in my store because this is just wrong. For it to be out there making money off things that we know are morally wrong.. we as humans should know better!!!

  • 33 Posted by zmanisfireproof on Thu Sep 3, 2009 11:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's just a game. No one complains about all these horror movies coming out that make light of 'killing'. How is a video game different? It has a rating system, just like the movies. I swear, some adults are worse than kids - they really need to grow up!

  • 34 Posted by nuha70@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    Okay, here's the thing. This game is rated M, anyone under 17 can't buy it. If a parent buys it for their child they should be smart enough to read the back. It takes a second to read and tells your everything that is in the games. So if a parent gets this for their children, why should Rockstar be blamed? I'm tired of this crap about M rated games.

  • 35 Posted by eichel_design on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's pretty simple... It's just a game! Remember... don't believe everything you see on TV, and if you do, be smart enough to use that insight on productive things.

  • 36 Posted by piperrhiannon on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    If the game is meant for mature audiences only, I don't think it matters what the "message" about bullying is. Will kids get their hands on it? Probably, but that's on the parents, not the company. We can't make the entire world G-rated, just in case.

  • 37 Posted by odupiton20 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    Parents if you don't want your kids playing Bully dont' buy the game. By causing such a fuse over a "video-game" you admit that the bully problem exist and is not a fantasy. RockStar made a game that plays off that reality. RELAX ---its just a game. Be a better parent and control what games your kids are playing. I pre-ordered my copy and can't wait to play it. I suggest you do the same :)

  • 38 Posted by piperrhiannon on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    If the game is meant for mature audiences only, I don't think it matters what the "message" about bullying is. Will kids get their hands on it? Probably, but that's on the parents, not the company. We can't make the entire world G-rated, just in case.

  • 39 Posted by junomaster2006 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    The news has already been to late. Its a rated "T" game and no, your not a bully trying to beat nerds up. Your character is a nerd and trying to get back at the bullys and jocks. The politictions really need to play or see the game before they judge before making a wrong choice without any knowlege of the game.

  • 40 Posted by jsbrown91 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think it's a part of life that kids need to learn about now and better off in a game then in the real life. Those people protesting were using a form of bullying. People don't need to be so sensitive and need to get over stuff like that.

  • 41 Posted by arsenies@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    In American society, we have crude and violent television shows, other video games, raunchy commercials, and general everyday violence to which every child is exposed.. and people are concerned about a bully videogame? Hmm..quite logical /end sarcasm Bottom line: you should know your child well enough to make a decision as to whether or not this can affect the and stop making things like this if you can't take responsibility for your mistakes when you find that you misjudged your children: its called rationalization.

  • 42 Posted by tommy_gunn99 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    Bottom line: No blood, no killing, no problem, and definitely, no M rating. We all need to become a bully sooner or later in life in order to keep from getting walked all over. That's just a cruel fact of life. Rockstar just tells it like it is!!

  • 43 Posted by piro_man_aka_chad on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:13PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm in high school and I think this is really a bad thing to teach to kids because everyone knows that people under the age of 17 play rockstar games. Bullying causes school shootings and this game promotes bullying.

  • 44 Posted by vegeta1918 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:33PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think that this will be a good game to help end bulling in the US. Parents should only buy it for their older kids.

  • 45 Posted by undeadartemis on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    Once again people are talking as if a game is meant for children. There is a reason the mature lables says, "For 18 and older." Practice some honest and responsible parenting and keep these games out of the hands of children like they are intended. If you do give in and get your child this game, simply tell them that this is fantasy and not real, it's not like they probably don't already know that. There is no reason to be at an uproar over these kinds of games, there is a reason that there is a rating system. Use it.

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