Bully (video game)

Bully
NTSC cover art for PlayStation 2
Developer(s)Rockstar Vancouver[a]
Publisher(s)Rockstar Games
Producer(s)
  • Jeronimo Barrera
  • Steve Martin
Designer(s)
  • Mike Skupa
  • Sergei Kuprejanov
Programmer(s)
  • Mike Slett
  • Peter Grant
Artist(s)Steven Olds
Writer(s)
Composer(s)Shawn Lee
Engine
Platform(s)
Release
17 October 2006
  • PlayStation 2
    • NA: 17 October 2006
    • EU: 25 October 2006
    • AU: 27 October 2006
    Wii, Xbox 360
    • NA: 4 March 2008
    • PAL: 7 March 2008
    Windows
    • WW: 21 October 2008
    Android, iOS
    • WW: 8 December 2016
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer[c]

Bully (released in the PAL region as Canis Canem Edit; Latin for "dog eat dog")[1] is a 2006 action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar Vancouver and published by Rockstar Games. It was released on 17 October 2006 for the PlayStation 2. A remastered version of the game, subtitled Scholarship Edition, was developed by Mad Doc Software and released on 4 March 2008 for Xbox 360 and Wii, and on 21 October 2008 for Windows. Bully was re-released for PlayStation 4 available via PlayStation Network on 22 March 2016. An updated version of the Scholarship Edition, titled Anniversary Edition, was developed by War Drum Studios and released for Android and iOS on 8 December 2016.

The game is played from a third-person perspective and its open world can be navigated on foot, skateboard, motor scooter, bicycle, or go-kart. Set in the fictional town of Bullworth, the single-player story follows juvenile delinquent student James "Jimmy" Hopkins, who is involuntarily enrolled at Bullworth Academy boarding school for a year, and puts his efforts to rise through the ranks of the school system in order to put a stop to bullying. Players control Jimmy as he attempts to become more popular among the school's various "cliques", in addition to attending classes and completing various side missions. The Scholarship Edition includes a two-player competitive multiplayer mode that lets two players compete for the highest score in different classes.

Its expected violence and sexual content were initially controversial. Bully received positive reviews, with praise directed at the game's missions, narrative, character development, and soundtrack, though its presentation and glitches received criticism. The original version of Bully sold over 1.5 million copies and received multiple year-end accolades.


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  1. ^ Richardson, Ben (1 September 2006). "Bully in name change shock". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on 24 October 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2006.