Bully

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Copyright (c) 2007 Luke Gwynne Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".  

Bully, also known as Canis Canem Edit in the PAL region, is a video game released by Rockstar Vancouver for Sony PlayStation 2 on October 17, 2006 in the USA, and October 25, 2006 in the UK. An Xbox version was planned but has since been cancelled for undisclosed reasons. The game takes place in a fictional boarding school called Bullworth Academy. The motto of the school, Canis Canem Edit, is Latin for dog eat dog. The game is also available as a special edition that includes a limited edition comic book, and a dodgeball of the same style as the ones used in the game, with the word "Bully" engraved on it. It is unknown whether there is a special edition for other markets.

A press release by Take-Two Interactive, publishers of the game, states, "As a troublesome schoolboy, you'll laugh and cringe as you stand up to bullies, get picked on by teachers, play pranks on malicious kids, win or lose the girl, and ultimately learn to navigate the obstacles of the fictitious school, Bullworth Academy."

Gameplay

Early information released by Take-Two Interactive seemed to indicate that the player would be taking the role of a bully, and screenshots printed in Electronic Gaming Monthly showed the player-controlled antagonist administering a "swirlie" and throwing a punch at another student. However, a new trailer in 2006 suggested this idea was abandoned and instead the player is in control of a new student Jimmy Hopkins standing up against bullies.

The released trailer shows Jimmy engaging in a wide variety of activities, running from bullies, dealing with teachers, and exploring the school. The game appears to be heavily story driven with a wide cast of both male and female characters, including the stern looking Principal,Dr Crabblesnitch,popular cheerleaders,and faculties of varying personalities.

The game uses an advanced Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas engine through Renderware, completely changing all the programming codes to make the gameplay different. The fighting combat is similar to another Rockstar Games title, The Warriors. What also makes the game engine unique is Rockstar Vancouver's tendency to avoid repeated use of the same NPC models with the exception of pedestrians.

The game has six different chapters which are:

  • Chapter 1: Making New Friends and Enemies
  • Chapter 2: Rich Kid Blues
  • Chapter 3: Love Makes the World Go Around
  • Chapter 4: A Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body and Other Lies
  • Chapter 5: The Fall and Rise of Jimmy Hopkins, aged 15
  • Chapter 6: Endless Summer

 Setting

The game takes place at Bullworth Academy, a fictional independent boarding school in the United States. Jimmy ends up enrolled in the school when his newly married mother and fifth new stepfather go on an exceedingly long honeymoon, on a cruise. The school itself is located in the also fictional town of Bullworth, which resembles New England (this would also explain the high prevalence of very wealthy 'Old money' and 'Nouveau Riche'). The school itself is a classical neo-gothic design and is similar to many other schools and colleges in New England and Britain, in particular Fettes School in Edinburgh. A reference to the year being 1995 as the setting can be seen in one of the various arcade machine minigames; however the official website states that the game takes place in 2006-2007

Characters

The game focuses on Bullworth's newest student, Jimmy Hopkins. As he advances through his academic career at Bullworth Academy, he may interact with the school's students and teachers, many of whom will give him tasks to complete. He is greeted by Gary Smith, a scheming, unstable sociopath and Pete Kowalski, a shy student who has yet to make any friends.

Cliques

Like many schools, Bullworth Academy has various cliques amongst the student body. Depending on the choices he makes, Jimmy can make friends or enemies of the various cliques on campus. In keeping with American high school stereotypes, most students Jimmy deals with will fall into one of six cliques. A member of a certain clique can be identified by their unique clothes:

  • Nerds: Wear green "Astronomy Club" uniforms
  • Preppies: Wear light blue "Aqua Berry" uniforms
  • Bullies: Wear white shirts and jeans
  • Jocks: Wear letterman jackets or sports sweaters
  • Greasers: Wear dark blue uniforms with leather or denim jackets
  • Townies: Wear casual punk-like clothes with the color orange featured prominently
  • Prefects: Wear navy blue suits
  • Non clique students: Wear dark teal uniforms

 

 Controversy

Bully has caused controversy among parents and educators. Criticisms are due to the adult nature of previous Rockstar games, in particular, the Hot Coffee mod in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and to certain aspects of the game, for example, its title (despite the fact the lead character is able to defend others from bullies as much as be a "bully" himself, and any picking on female characters or smaller children is a transgression within the game's internal rules). Groups such as Bullying Online and Peaceaholics have criticized the game for glorifying or trivializing school bullying. Most of these criticisms, however, were voiced before the contents of the game were actually available to the public. In 2006, the United States-based Entertainment Software Rating Board officially gave Bully a rating of "T" (suitable for ages 13 and up).

 

ESRB

Prior to both the ESRB's rating and the release of Bully, Jack Thompson, a Miami lawyer and video game critic, filed a lawsuit attempting to have the game blocked from store shelves in Florida. Thompson declared the game a "nuisance" and "Columbine simulator" (in response, many of his detractors have mockingly referred to it as nothing more than a "Dennis the Menace simulator"). Also, the protagonist of the game, Jimmy, is not a bully towards the nerds and misfits, but more of a defender of unpopular kids and bully towards bullies. He also argued this point on Attack of the Show along with Adam Sessler (with him on the opposite end) on the show's "The Loop. “Thompson’s petition, filed with the 11th Judicial Circuit Court, asked for Wal-Mart and Take-Two to furnish him with an advance copy of Bully so he could have "an independent third party" play the game and determine if it would constitute a public nuisance in the state of Florida (in which case it could be banned). On 2006-10-11 Judge Ronald Friedman ordered Take-Two and Rockstar to provide him a copy of the game within 24 hours. On 2006-10-13 Friedman subsequently ruled in favor of shipping the game, noting that there was no content in the game that was not already on late night TV. Thompson responded to the ruling with fiery speech directed at the judge.

Similar attempts to have the game banned have also been made by the charity Bullying Online and Labour Party M.P Keith Vaz in the UK

In Belgium, a petition was started by three teachers to ban the game from the shelves. After the petition was closed with 32,000+ signatures, another petition was started in favor of the game

When given preview build, however, the mainstream media took a generally positive opinion of the game. Press coverage has described the game as free-form, focusing on building a social network and learning new skills from classes, with strictly enforced punishments for serious misbehaviour (for example, having to clear snow away as punishment for hitting a girl).

Currys and PC World, both owned by DSG International plc said that they wish to not sell the game in the UK because it is "not appropriate for Currys' family-friendly image". The official statement lists what Currys believes is "the explicit link between violence and children" as the reason behind the ban, and continues: "We haven't taken this decision lightly, particularly considering the excellent relationship we have with Rockstar." However despite this decision other high street retailers including Game, HMV and Woolworths, Virgin Megastores have all announced an intention to stock the game Interestingly, DSG stores still stock other Rockstar games including the GTA series, and other violent games like Manhunt, which both have BBFC18 ratings, where Bully has a BBFC15 rating.

References to popular culture

This article or section may contain original research or unverified claims.

  • The background music that plays during the arcade mini game "Con-Sumo" in the Nerds' hideout closely resembles the Fatal Fury character Tung Fu Rue's stage music from the first game.
  • The phrase "I'm the daddy now!" is taken from the 1979 film Scum, where it is used in a near-identical context (adolescent superiority).
  • A variation on the Revenge of the Nerds theme plays when the Nerd clique chase Jimmy.
  • On an errand in Bullworth Town for a bike shop dealer he can be heard saying "Dude, where's my bike?" a reference to the film Dude, Where's My Car?.
  • The music that plays in the Nerd's Hideout in Bullworth town is the same music heard playing during Timesplitters: Future Perfect in the Mansion level
  • Random Greaser NPCs can be heard saying "Stay gold, Ponyboy" and "Do it for Johnny". These are references to the S.E. Hinton novel, The Outsiders. In fact, the term Greaser and their appearance is also a possible reference to The Outsiders. Also, the rivalry between the Greasers and the Preps is possibly a reference to the book conflict between the Greasers and the Socs.
  • If the player beats up Melvin O'Conner, he will exclaim "’Tis only a flesh wound", in reference to the Black Knight from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
  • The mini-game Con Sumo uses sound effects from Metal Slug.
  • Student Ray Hughes' catchphrase is "They say that kids imitate characters in video games, but I have yet to become a mustached plumber." This is a reference to the Nintendo character, Mario, a possible breaking of the fourth wall, and a satire on the criticisms leveled against critics such as Jack Thompson by video gamers.
  • The keycode for the observatory gate is '1138'. Given the fact that nerds control this area, it should come as no surprise that this is a reference to George Lucas' first film, THX-1138.
  • Ray Hughes can be heard saying "I only have a few chapters left in Kavalier and Clay". This is a reference to The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay a 2000 novel by Michael Chabon which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2001.
  • The nerd Fatty sometimes greets Jimmy with the phrase "Hailing frequencies open". This is a reference to the various Star Trek TV shows.
  • Russell's general appearance as well as his catchphrase, "Russell smash!", are rather appropriately taken off from that of The Incredible Hulk.
  • There are a few possible references to the J. D. Salinger novel Catcher in the Rye as Jimmy has been expelled from many other prep schools like Holden Caulfield was, and even referred to his stepfather as "a phony." Jimmy can even buy the famed "Hound's Tooth Duffel Coat" which Holden would reference throughout the story.
  • Civilian cars bear the license plate BDR 529, the same as Jake and Elwood's car in the film The Blues Brothers (film).
  • Sometimes people watching a fight, most notably Damon, will start chanting "Kumite". This is most likely a reference to Bloodsport.
  • Occasionally, after a nerd is kicked, they'll make reference to the Jabberwocky, from Through the Looking Glass, by Lewis Carroll
  • Although the cars in-game appear generic, those familiar with the Grand Theft Auto series of games will recognize a Regina and Stallion, the latter in Diablo gang colors from Liberty City, being worked on in the background at Shop class.
  • The first level of the arcade game Future Racer entitled the METROtown, is named after the mall Metrotown in Burnaby, British Columbia. Vancouver, were the game was made, is the neighbor city to Burnaby.
  • The brand of uniform worn by The Preps are called "Aquaberry" which is an obvious play on the name of two famous English brands "Aquascutum" and "Burberry", which both are similar in design to the clothes worn by the Preps.
  • The secret cards Jimmy can collect are from a game called "Grottos & Gremlins" (or can be seen as G&G) which refers to the game Dungeons & Dragons, (or D&D).
  • The names of the characters Earnest Jones and Algernon Papadopoulos are both references to characters from the Oscar Wilde play The Importance of Being Earnest. Earnest's name is a reference to the protagonist, Jack Worthing (whose true name is Ernest), while Algernon's name (as well as his nickname, Algie) is a reference to Jack's younger brother, Algernon "Algy" Moncrieff.
  • The costume that Pete wears on Halloween is a pink bunny suit, like the one from A Christmas Story

Reception

Bully has received generally positive reviews from critics. The game received ratings of 8.9/10 from IGN-US, 9.0/10 from Games Radar, a perfect 10/10 from 1UP.com, 8.7/10 from GameSpot’s, 8.75/10 from VGRC.net, and 5/5 from X-Play.Canis Canem Edit also got 8 / 10 from OPS2 Magazine. Critics generally praised the game's storyline, while they complained about particular stealth missions, as well as the camera. Critics also noted that the game is substantially easier than veterans of the Grand Theft Auto series (Rockstar's flagship titles) would expect.

Awards

  • Won IGN's award for Best PlayStation 2 Action Game.
  • Won GameSpot's award for Best Original Music.
  • Finalist for GameSpot's Game of the Year 2006
  • Gaming Target - 52 Games We'll Still Be Playing From 2006 selection

Rockstar reckons the title, which has a '15' certificate, is suitable tongue-in-cheek not to be taken seriously and claims it does not condone bullying. But DSG's clearly not convinced. It admitted today it will not stock the game in its PC World, Currys Digital stores on the nation's high streets and its Dixons.co.uk online store, GamesIndustry.biz reports.

"We have no plans to stock Canis Canem Edit," said a statement from DSG subsidiary Currys. "We're fully aware people will be able to buy this game elsewhere, but we feel this game is not appropriate for Currys' family-friendly image."

 

"We have a good relationship with the game's producers, Rockstar, and look forward to working with them going forward," the retailer added. Indeed, the company is taking pre-orders for future episodes of the Grand Theft Auto series, the report noted.

Canis Canem Edit was originally titled Bully - it retains that name in the US - but renamed after its portrayal of violence in a school setting was criticised by a anti-bullying groups and UK Labour MP Keith Vaz, who today named the game in a parliamentary question to the Prime Minister.

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