Poor Rockstar -- the games publisher and developer just can't get any love in the U.K. Britain not only bullied Bully the first time around, forcing the game to change its name to Canis Canem Edit, but The Telegraph is now criticizing the new Wii and Xbox 360 versions. The latest gripe comes fresh after the Manhunt 2 controversy, which has yet to be resolved completely.The Telegraph disapproves of the game because it "features a shaven-headed pupil who torments fellow students and teachers at his school." Like many video game critiques, this opinion is mostly inaccurate and also alarmist. An organization known as BeatBullying is also unhappy with the new Bully, claiming that Rockstar tried to bribe them for their support with a donation. Certain retailers like PC World and Currys refuse to even carry the game.
Rockstar is known for pushing the envelope with edgy games, but we have to imagine that they're tired of all these headaches by now. We know we certainly are.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-21-2008 @ 7:19PM
Mr Khan said...
To be fair, skinheads are more of a problem in Britain than over here. the whole concept of skinheads began over there as a counter to the Mods of the late 60's
However, such criticisms simply translate to the same issues that an American paper might have with "a Black protagonist with a bandanna-adorned head" or something like it
Rockstar should just quit trying in Britain...
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1-21-2008 @ 8:05PM
gorecki said...
jeeeeeze
These ignorant idiots who don't understand anything new (i.e. not around in the 1950s) should all just keep their chuffing mouths shut.
The authoritarian moral finger waggers in the UK really need to get a grip.
My parents are NUT* members, maybe they could tell suggest to their representatives that this game is nothing like they are portraying it to be.
*NUT = National Union of Teachers, who have been complaining about the content of this game.
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1-22-2008 @ 5:27AM
Abscissa said...
I'm just tired of complete morons being allowed to go around in society without being institutionalized.
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1-22-2008 @ 8:08AM
Perverted said...
The Wii has parental controls(i don't about the 360) so that should be the end of the story.
Second they complain about this yet games like condemned go on sale no problem...
Even though i won't buy this game the whole controversy over it is another reason i hate living in the Uk and why we suck nearly as much as the US(no offense to anyone who thinks that the US suckiness levels ain't that bad).
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1-22-2008 @ 10:23AM
Gonzo said...
Are you guys kidding. Speak for yourselves, I love hearing about this stuff, and I bet you R* does too.
Sure there's a few legal fees to consider but even after all that, this is all still really cheap publicity for them. R* are masters at getting this kind of free publicity. Their skills at attracting free advertising are almost as deft as their skills at making free-roaming games. Do you really think hot coffee was really left in there by mistake.
As someone who's worked in advertising, I think R* should expand their business into guerilla marketing. They're "accidentally" very good at it.
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1-22-2008 @ 2:21PM
Unbreakable_idea said...
You know, I'm surprised Table Tennis didn't start a controversy. It did promote violence towards round objects, which could in turn lead to violence against the morbidly obese. I am now convinced that if you slap the name Rockstar on something, it'll get crucified. They could make a game about holding hands and making friends and these "watchdog" groups would get upset that it was promoting the spread of disease and, by extension, death.
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1-22-2008 @ 6:52PM
ArmorForVictor said...
have this game and completed it 100% on my ps2. it's really fun ,but the whole it's a bully game is so out of proportion. in fact there are other kids in the game that bully you ,so you can chose to bully other kids if you like or you don't have too.
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