Why Bully 2 never came to fruition, here is the official review

The co-founder of Rockstar clarifies why the sequel never made it past paper.

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Although Rockstar Games remains focused on two of the industry’s biggest franchises (Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption), players have never stopped asking for the return of another cult classic: Bully. For years, there have been rumors, leaks, and even supposed prototypes, but the truth is that Bully 2 never came to fruition.

Now, Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games and one of the key figures behind its biggest successes, has shed some light on the matter. In a recent interview at the Los Angeles Comic Con, Houser explained that the problem was never a lack of interest, but something much simpler: time and the creative team’s capacity.

A project eclipsed by Rockstar’s giants

According to Houser, the studio had enough personnel, but the central creative direction was limited and couldn’t handle more than two major projects at a time. In other words, while GTA V and Red Dead Redemption 2 absorbed all the strategic resources, a project like Bully 2 was inevitably relegated.

Although the developer didn’t entirely rule out the idea, he did make it clear that, compared to the astronomical figures of GTA or Red Dead, the commercial impact of a new Bully would have been smaller. This difference in priorities is, according to Houser, the main reason why the expected sequel never went beyond the concept stage.

With GTA 6 already confirmed for May 2026, it’s clear that Rockstar remains focused on its biggest franchises. However, the shadow of Bully remains strong enough for many players to not lose hope of seeing Jimmy Hopkins again someday on modern consoles.