Rockstar steals your lunch money: Bully

Has Rockstar Games lost its rabid little mind? Most game companies at the receiving end of the furore over Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas would have packed themselves off to hide in a bunker. But Rockstar isn't like most game companies. Not content at having unleashed the world's most violent simulation of gang warfare and car theft, it has now tooled up for a new assault on the moral sensibilities of the bourgeoisie. The name of this rough new beast? Bully.

Bully lets you take on the role of a "troublesome schoolboy" who "stands up to bullies, gets picked on by teachers, plays pranks on malicious kids, wins or loses the girl and ultimately learns to navigate the obstacles of the fictitious reform school," Rockstar says.

Judging from the screenshots we've seen, you're not afraid to dish out a little of the old ultraviolence yourself in the game. We assume these prefects have done something to justify your wanton aggression, but perhaps you're just releasing some of that schoolboy angst. Rockstar isn't renowned for its politically correct values, so don't expect the gameplay to tally with the government's drive to stamp out bullying in schools.

Given that the original Grand Theft Auto game gave players bonus points for running over consecutive Hare Krishnas and the latest version includes such lovely features as the ability to stamp on a prostitute's head until her skull splits open, we're not holding out much hope that this will be something to take home to mother. It's almost as if the company knows the 'bad' publicity will be good for business. No, that can't be it. -CS