Video Game - Bully

As mentioned in the previous post, the first video game I am going to highlight is called “Bully”.  Bully is made by Rockstar Games, the same company who is responsible for the Grand Theft Auto series of video games (next post).   

Here is a brief intro from makers themselves, which can also be read here; 

“As a mischievous schoolboy, you’ll stand up to bullies, get picked on by teachers, play pranks, win or lose the girl, and ultimately learn to navigate the obstacles of the worst school around, Bullworth Academy - a corrupt and crumbling prep school with an uptight facade.” 

The gameplay is what earned this game a spot in Yahoo! Games top 10 most controversial games of all time.  Since the game is centered around a school, naturally taking classes is needed.  When you excel at the classes, you learn to talk the police into letting you off the hook or how to make firecrackers.  “Playing pranks” as mentioned in the overview involves sling shots, bats, and bottle rockets.  Fighting and bullying are also a central theme of the game.  Winning some fights, hence beating someone up, is needed to advance in the game.  Violence against females, smaller children, and teachers is also possible. 

The game also some sexual content, and allows the player, a male character, to kiss both male and female students. 

Bully is available for the PlayStation 2, the Nintendo Wii, the Xbox 360, and there is a PC version.  The game has been rated from T (teen, 13 and up) to M (mature) and won several awards upon its release.  While it may be an entertaining game to some, it is also very inappropriate for the younger consumer.