14 DAY TRIAL // Although the launch date was initially set for October last year, Bully started quite a commotion for a game that hasn't been released yet. It seems there is no such thing as bad publicity for Rockstar Games, especially since the Grand Theft Auto lawsuit where the publisher was recently acquitted. Today the developers confirmed that Bully is still set for release in 2006.
"Bully's very much still in development and slated for release later this year," confirmed a Rockstar spokesperson to Eurogamer.net. Although very little has been seen of the Rockstar game, it's still managed to follow Grand Theft Auto into the pages of the tabloids, thanks to widespread criticism from the political tribune. All this in spite of the relatively light hearted premise: a troublesome schoolboy standing up to bullies by pulling pranks. Rockstar has remained fairly quiet about it, but development has continued undeterred. "We hope to be showing it to people soon," the spokesperson added.
This is the first game created by Rockstar's new Vancouver studio, available for the PS2 and Xbox. Bully promises enough innovation and humor to keep gamers glued to the chair even if a long time has passed since they attended school classes. After all, the game seems to be based loosely on the free roaming gameplay that made Grand Theft Auto such a huge hit. Players will take charge of one naughty little Dennis the Menace style miscreant, charged with beating or joining the bullies, getting his dog to eat his homework, and generally attempting to drive teachers crazy with classroom antics. Within the fictional halls of Bullworth Academy, Bully follows the story of a troublesome schoolboy in reform school as he gets picked on by teachers, plays pranks, and even tries to get the girl. The game has seen considerable delays though so we wonder if Rockstar will stand up to their promises.