
Bully
"A satirical action-adventure set in a fictional boarding school."
Overview
Jimmy Hopkins arrives at Bullworth Academy in 2006 after being expelled from multiple previous schools. He finds himself trapped in an institution governed by a rigid social hierarchy where authority figures often prove corrupt or ineffective. The narrative follows his attempts to navigate complex interpersonal conflicts, including gang wars and romantic subplots, while balancing academic responsibilities.
Players control Jimmy as he moves between on-foot traversal and riding various vehicles like skateboards and scooters across the sprawling campus and adjacent town. A core mechanic involves schooling, where attending classes improves grades; failure results in detention or expulsion. Combat features a mix of melee weapons and improvised tools, with a reputation system that influences how different cliques perceive Jimmy.
Originally titled Canis Canem Edit during development, the project was created primarily by Rockstar Vancouver with support from Rockstar New England and Rockstar Toronto. The soundtrack was composed by Shawn Lee, contributing significantly to the game's unique atmosphere. Upon release, the title received widespread critical acclaim for its humor and storytelling, holding a Metacritic score of 89/100 on the PlayStation 2.
Gameplay
The experience blends third-person action with open-world exploration within a semi-open environment centered around the academy. Distinct zones represent different social groups such as Jocks, Preppies, Greasers, Nerds, and Busters. Players engage in side missions, minigames, and collectibles that allow for extensive non-linear exploration.
A reputation system tracks actions to influence clique perceptions, unlocking specific quests and areas based on standing within the school's social structure. The Anniversary Edition added four bonus classes and additional non-storyline missions to the mobile versions.
Story
Jimmy Hopkins enters Bullworth Academy in 2006 following expulsions from several prior schools. He must navigate a strict social order where authority figures are often corrupt or ineffective. The plot culminates in confrontations that challenge the status quo of the school, leading to Jimmy's graduation and departure.
The narrative heavily satirizes institutional hypocrisy, teenage culture, and the arbitrary nature of social hierarchies. Throughout the journey, Jimmy deals with bullying, gang wars, and romantic subplots while trying to survive the daily rigors of school life.
Trailers
Awards & Acclaim
BAFTA Games Awards: Best Game: (2007)
Game Developers Choice Awards: Best Audio: (2007)
SXSW Gaming Awards: Excellence in Visual Art: (2007)
Keywords
Sources
Game Info
- Developer
- Rockstar Vancouver
- Publisher
- Rockstar Games
- Engine
- RenderWare
- Release Date
- October 17, 2006
- Age Rating
- 17+
- Modes
- single-player
- Platforms
- PlayStation 2, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Wii, iOS, Android, Nvidia Shield Portable, Nvidia Shield TV, Nvidia Shield Tablet
- Original Title
- Canis Canem Edit
- Soundtrack Composer
- Shawn Lee
- Metacritic Score (PS2)
- 89
- Units Sold by 2007
- Over 2 million
- Latin Phrase Meaning
- A dog bites a dog
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