Bully 2: Why the Game Never Seen Daylight, Dan Houser Explains

Key Takeaways

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Resource limitations and overcommitment to other projects within Rockstar Games led to the cancellation of Bully 2.
The original Bully, despite controversy, developed a dedicated fanbase and is considered a cult classic.
Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games, has moved on to new ventures and founded Absurd Ventures, focusing on transmedia projects.
There are ongoing rumors and leaks about Bully 2, notably after discovery of base data within Grand Theft Auto V in 2023, but the studios current strategic focus remains on Grand Theft Auto Online.

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Dan Houser Reveals Why Bully 2 Never Materialized at Rockstar Games

At last month’s L.A. Comic Con, Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games and writer behind titles like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, confirmed why Bully 2 was never developed. He told IGN.com that the project was ultimately canceled due to the studio’s resource limitations, stating, “too much on their plate and not enough hands to make it happen.” Additionally, Rockstar reportedly viewed the unannounced sequel as a riskier venture compared to another Grand Theft Auto release. The original Bully, released in 2006 and known as Canis Canem Edit in Europe, immersed players in the life of Jimmy, a teenage outcast at an elite private school. The game featured schoolyard conflicts, adolescent love triangles, and quirky minigames. Rockstar Games designed it as a sharp satire of adolescence, though it generated controversy from those who believed it glorified bullying, despite Dan Houser’s intention for an “acidic parody.” Regardless of the dispute, Bully developed into a cult classic with a dedicated fanbase. Despite the official reasons for the sequel’s cancellation, rumors and leaks about Bully 2 continue to circulate, notably after players discovered a base data file within Grand Theft Auto V in 2023.

Rockstar’s Focus on GTA Online Pushes Back Bully Sequel, Dan Houser Moves to Comics and Expands Absurd Ventures

While Rockstar Games retains the option to revive the Bully series, the studio’s current strategic focus remains on its highly profitable Grand Theft Auto Online. Within this operational framework, a Bully sequel appears to be a lower priority than continued development on their flagship online title. Dan Houser departed Rockstar in 2020 and subsequently founded Absurd Ventures, a company dedicated to transmedia projects. His upcoming comic, American Caper, is scheduled for release on November 12, 2025. Absurd Ventures has also expanded its team, with approximately twenty ex-Ascendant Studios employees joining Absurd Marin in California. As of now, the company has not announced any video game projects.

In Case You Missed It

For all you GTA fans out there, a recent update promises to shake things up in more ways than one. Bruno Pferd’s latest piece on September 29th delves into the confirmation that Dan Houser won’t be part of the story development for GTA 6—a change that has sparked both worry and optimism among players. With Dan Houser stepping down from his role, many are curious to see how this shift in leadership will affect the game’s narrative and overall direction. To get the latest insights and analysis on what’s shaping up to be a radical new chapter for the franchise, head over to our blog GTA 6 Promises to Be Radically Different from Anything Known So Far, Confirmed and share your thoughts! For fans of the beloved *Bully* series wondering about the future of *Bully 2*, Jonathan Dubinski’s latest piece, “Bully 2 Isn’t Dead,” sheds light on why this highly anticipated game isn’t moving forward as quickly as some might hope. Published on September 29, 2025, Dan Houser provides insight into Rockstar Games’ current constraints and the possibility of future developments for *Bully 2*. If you’re curious to learn more about where this project stands and what it might take for it to come to fruition, be sure to check out Bully 2 Isn’t Dead. And if you’re a fan of sci-fi action games and are curious about the latest project from Leslie Benzies, former president of Rockstar North, be sure to check out our recent article titled “Critical: Exclusive Look at 12 Minutes of Gameplay from Former Rockstar Boss’s New Game” (published on May 23, 2025). In this piece, Marcus Thompson takes an in-depth look at MindsEye, a game set to release next month. While the preview suggests that the gameplay is functional but not particularly innovative, it offers insights into what players can expect from this dystopian title. Dive deeper into the analysis and join us as we explore whether MindsEye lives up to its potential or falls short of expectations. Critical: Exclusive Look at 12 Minutes of Gameplay from Former Rockstar Boss’s New Game