10 Controversial Video Games Your Parents Never Wanted You To Play
6. Bully
Bully had a lot going against it the moment it was put into development. Not only did it come from the same developer as Grand Theft Auto, which automatically puts a target on its back, but its subject matter and title is practically begging for parents to get outraged.
Despite what the title would have you believe, Bully does not have you play as a bully. But to the parents and anti-bullying advocacy groups who took one look at the title and nothing more, it appeared to glorify and encourage the act itself. Those who actually did put time into its systems know the game is far more nuanced than that - Bully is about manoeuvring your way through the various cliques and social groups in order to help those who are being bullied.
This fact didnt stop the controversy from brewing even before the game was released, though. Emotions were especially heightened because of its academic setting and the young age of the characters. Bully became another game parents insisted they keep away from their children by default, fearing that it would inspire delinquent behavior. None of these fears came to pass of course, and Bully has since become one of Rockstar's greatest achievements.