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Bully videogame generating concern; psychiatrist warn parents

A controversial new videogame that has upset anti-bullying groups and educators. The main character of the game, which is called Bully: Scholarship Edition, is Jimmy Hopkins who has to adjust to life at a boarding school filled with different cliques.

The game is made by Rockstar of Vancouver, already known as a controversial video game developer because of such previous titles as Grand Theft Auto and Manhunt 2.

Advertisements for the game have appeared on UK National television.

While some argue the main character is actually trying to end bullying at the school, he often ends up doing so by fighting. Finishing moves for the fights include performing a "humiliation move" on the opponent.

Greg Lubimiv, executive director of the Phoenix Centre in America, said such a game is disturbing.

"It's going against what we are trying to teach children which is to make bullies more empathetic and increase the victim's assertiveness by not by having them bully people back," he said.

Mr. Lubimiv said he believes there is a danger in such types of games desensitizing children to a serious problem.

While video game reviews describe the action as a lighthearted romp through teenage angst, others see it as trivializing the growing problem of bullying.

"It normalizes it and makes it not real. If you can't empathize with someone else then it makes it easier to harm others and engage in other anti-social behavior," he said.

According to one media report, a coalition of over four million teachers in several countries, including The United Kingdom and Canada, are urging retailers to refuse to sell the game.

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