Back in 2006, after the release ofGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Rockstar Games put out a surprising new IP calledBully. Melding Rockstar’s signature tongue-in-cheek storytelling with a tale of rebellious adolescence, the game somehow managed to take the freedom ofGrand Theft Autoto a less-than-PG schoolyard setting. The game was received very well initially, but since then, there hasn’t been another entry in the series.
Considering 2016’s port of theScholarship Editionwas the last thing heard from the series, the game may never see a sequel or future release. Rockstar continues to steal the spotlight from its other franchises, and the high school mischief simulator is one of many victims ofGrand Theft AutoandRed Dead Redemption’s great success. While there’s still a possibilityBullymay return in the future, it’s seemingly not in the Rockstar Games agenda for now.
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Bully Releases So Far
Bullyinitially came out in 2006 on the PlayStation 2, just a year after the highly successfulGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas. At the time, it was a critical and commercial success,despite controversies and complaintsassociated with its young adult violence and alleged trivialization of harassment. Selling around 1.5 million copies in its initial run, it seemed like a successful new IP for Rockstar Games. This would not be the case, and there wouldn’t be any word from Rockstar about potentially continuing the franchise in the future.
SubsequentBullyreleases were sent out for several platforms, but they were either ports or special editions of the original game. EntitledBully: Scholarship Edition, the game initially released two years later on Xbox 360 and Wii, with a PC release also coming later on in 2008. EventuallyBully: AnniversaryEditionwas brought to iOS and Android phonesin 2016. Beyond that, there’s been no new entries or different editions of the base game since 2016. Considering Rockstar Games has been hard at work selling some of the most successful games of all time, it’s understandable ifBullyhas fallen by the wayside from a business standpoint.
Rumors Abound for a Bully 2
Rumors of aBullysequel in the late 2000s and early 2010s started circulating the internet. Even more recently, rumors have indicated thatBully 2is coming late 2020, following the original protagonist Jimmy Hopkins through college. There’s been numerous purported leaks detailing the game as well, though none have been proven true. There was even a slew ofscreenshots ofBully 2that were proven false, created by someone for practically no reason. The most recentBullysequel “reveal” states that development eventually halted on aBully 2, with Rockstar New England shelving the project to focus onRed Dead Redemption.
There have even been teases by Rockstar Games itself, posting “Bullworth Academy” merch on its website. There’s also been various teases/references in recent Rockstar games likeGrand Theft Auto 5andRed Dead Redemption 2. For example, as part of the Frontier Pursuits expansion forRed Dead Online, one of the newly added bounties references an enraged Meredith Hopkins, sharing the same last name as the protagonist Jimmy fromBully.An even more hair-brained theory came fromGrand Theft Auto Onlinewhen players decoded morse code that equated to “BLY2” when spelled out. Fans have been looking everywhere for hopes of a newBullygame, but Rockstar may have different plans.
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Bully is Constantly Overshadowed
Obviously,Bullycouldn’t compare toGrand Theft AutoorRed Dead Redemptionwhen it comes to sales, which could potentially factor into whyaBullysequel was reportedly shelved. AfterL.A. NoireandMax Payne 3, Rockstar Games has focused strictly on its two biggest franchises without any mention of the publisher’s extended library. That’s not to say it was a mistake on Rockstar’s part, consideringRed Dead Redemption 2saw massive success andGrand Theft Auto 5becoming the giant that it is, not just in the video game industry but the entertainment industry as a whole.
What’s important to note is that both of these games had massive budgets, and likely required collaboration between many of the Rockstar Games studios in order to ship the game. Rockstar likely wants to keep that momentum going, especially withall the rumors and leaks referencing an upcomingGrand Theft Auto 6reveal/release. Because of this, exterior projects likeBullywill likely be on hold until Rockstar can free up resources. 2013’sMax Payne 3was the last time a title other thanGrand Theft AutoorRed Deadcame out from Rockstar.
Many of Rockstar’s franchises are overdue for a new entry or sequel, especiallyBully. But with the massive success of Rockstar’s biggest games, it may be a long while before fans' wishes are granted.
