Bully videogame courts new controversy

Supposed gay "sex scene" between two boys the cause of uproar in the US

30 October 2006 19:16 GMT / By Amber Maitland

Rockstar Games’ controversial videogame “Bully” or “Canis Canem Edit” in the UK is once again at the centre of a media storm.

The game, which is rated “Teen” in the US has what some media outlets are calling a homosexual “sex scene” involving the main character, aged 15, and another boy. Reports say that when Jimmy Hopkins approaches a blond boy with flowers, the boy says, “I’m hot. You’re hot. Let’s make out”.

Although gay videogamers are welcoming the inclusion of this option in the game, others are not so thrilled.

The new controversy echoes one that the games’ parent company, Take Two, weathered over a scene dubbed “Hot Coffee” in its Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas game. Take Two had to withdraw the game from the shelves because it had kept the scene a secret.

Unlike in Grand Theft Auto, the scene in Bully wasn’t hidden, and the rating board was aware of it when it rated the game.

Full tags

Gaming, PS2, RTS, Rockstar