Various anti-bullying organisations have spoken out against and their upcoming 'playground bullying sim' "Bully", and it seems the controversial publisher can't put a foot right with their recent projects, especially after the recent San Andreas 'Hot Coffee' scandal. The game is said to be a comedic game, being created by Rockstar for the and Xbox. "School bullying is a terrible problem in the UK. We are contacted by up to four children a day who want to kill themselves as a result," commented Liz Carnell of Bullying Online about the game.

"I'm sure games makers are already aware that once a title is released it's very difficult to stop it getting into the hands of young people," she added. "I know of a case where two teenage boys stabbed another after watching a violent film. They then left the boy for dead and he was lucky to survive." Critics of the game are aggravated by Rockstar's unwillingness to discuss the content of the title, which already has several groups very worried.

We're slightly confused about the exact nature of the upcoming game ourselves, which has been described in mixed-fashion by Rockstar as both the equivalent of 'Just William', as well as a title likely to get an 'adult rating' upon release. "At the end of the day, computer firms are in the business of making money and if they can't be sensible and police their own activities I foresee more controversies like the one over Bully. As most youngsters rely on their parents for pocket money, if the parents don't like violent games then ultimately the games may find it's shot itself in the foot," Carnell explained.

Another group called the 'Peaceoholics' marched on Rockstar's New York HQ this week, attacking the firm's 'morally-questionable' product line, waving banners stating "Put the cuffs on Rockstar, not youth" and the like. More on the under-fire publisher soon.

By Luke Guttridge