The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Video game›Bully (video game)
Entertainment • Video game

Bully (video game)

Bully is a 2006 action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar Vancouver and published by Rockstar Games.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bully is a 2006 action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar Vancouver and published by Rockstar Games. Set in the fictional town of Bullworth, it follows teenager Jimmy Hopkins as he navigates Bullworth Academy and its social hierarchy while trying to stop bullying. In PAL regions, it was released as Canis Canem Edit, Latin for “dog eat dog.”

Gameplay

Bully is an open-world action-adventure game played from a third-person perspective. Players complete missions and attend classes while moving through the social structure of a boarding school setting.

Plot

The story follows Jimmy Hopkins, who is enrolled at Bullworth Academy after repeated expulsions from other schools. Over the course of a school year, he works through conflicts with students and school staff.

Release and editions

The original game launched on PlayStation 2 in 2006. Later versions included Scholarship Edition for home computers and consoles, and Anniversary Edition for mobile devices.

Reception and ratings

The game received age-based content ratings in multiple countries, including a Teen rating in the United States. It drew notable attention for its school setting and controversial subject matter.

Key facts

  • The game is set in an open-world school environment at Bullworth Academy.
  • Players control Jimmy Hopkins, a 15-year-old student with a troubled background.
  • The story centres on school life, social cliques, authority figures, and bullying.
  • It was originally released for PlayStation 2 in October 2006.
  • A later enhanced version, Bully: Scholarship Edition, was released for Xbox 360, Wii, and Windows.
🍁
Canadian context

Rockstar Vancouver, the game’s developer, was a Canadian studio based in Vancouver, British Columbia.[1]

Frequently asked questions

What is Bully?
Bully is a 2006 action-adventure video game by Rockstar Vancouver and Rockstar Games.
Who is the main character?
The main character is Jimmy Hopkins, a 15-year-old student at Bullworth Academy.
What is the setting?
It is set in the fictional New England town of Bullworth, mainly at Bullworth Academy.
What does Canis Canem Edit mean?
It is Latin for “dog eat dog,” and was used as the PAL-region title.
Was there a re-release?
Yes. Bully: Scholarship Edition was released for Xbox 360, Wii, and Windows.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bully_(video_game)
    Supports: Developer, publisher, release year, setting, gameplay perspective, and plot overview.
  2. Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q822849
    Supports: Canonical title and alternate title Canis Canem Edit.
  3. Simple Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bully_(video_game)
    Supports: Scholarship Edition platforms and development details.
  4. Wikipedia bahasa Indonesia — https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bully_(permainan_video)
    Supports: Scholarship Edition and Anniversary Edition release platforms and dates.
  5. Wikipedia — https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bully_(joc_video)
    Supports: Release dates and age ratings in multiple countries.