How Rockstar Should Make Bully 2

4. Keep The Time Period Ambiguous

The experiences of a student today are now vastly different to what was portrayed in Bully.

The global rise of social media and popularity via digital platforms has given way to a much more insidious form of competition amongst teenagers. In relation to this, young people are much more sociologically and politically active and dogmatic, with social justice movements and counter-pushbacks creating something of a battleground for children and adults alike.

Rockstar have, in the past, displayed great talent at not only effectively parodying social movements, but treating them with respect and sensitivity when necessary. However, basing their sequel in the midst of the social media age could be shaky ground, and if not handled properly could be misguided at best and incredibly offensive at worst.

Luckily, the first game was an anachronism stew of tropes and archetypes dating all the way back to the 1950s with very little in the way of modern technology and influence present. Bully's setting time-wise is deliberately ambiguous and rather timeless, therefore continuing this could help Rockstar avoid darker issues by continuing with this design.

Focusing on personal journeys rather than big sociological questions would be in keeping with Bully's characteristic, lighthearted tone.

Alongside the sharply satirical Grand Theft Auto and the profound and devastating Red Dead Redemption, Bully works as a comparatively innocent break from Rockstar's more adult affairs.