Bully Online Mod Abruptly Closes Just Months After Debut

Bully Online, a mod that introduced online multiplayer to Rockstar’s beloved open-world title, is set to shut down just weeks after its launch. The reasons behind this abrupt closure remain unclear, but many fans are pointing fingers at Rockstar Games and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive.

Created by a group of dedicated modders known as Fat Pigeon, led by Bully content creator Swegta, Bully Online took years to develop and was released on PC on December 15. The mod brought a host of new features, including mini-games, multiplayer activities, custom vehicles, and competitive racing. Fans were eager to dive in, especially since the original Bully lacked online multiplayer and Rockstar has shown little interest in a sequel or remaster. However, the excitement has quickly turned to disappointment with the announcement of the mod’s shutdown.

On January 14, a message appeared on the official Bully Online Discord server, revealing that the mod would be permanently taken offline within 24 hours. The announcement indicated that the developers would cease all new content and script development, remove the source code from the main site, delete all related webpages, and wipe all account data associated with the project. Players were encouraged to enjoy Bully Online for the final 24 hours before the servers are completely dismantled.

As for the reasons behind the shutdown, no clear explanation has been provided by those involved. The Discord message emphasized that this decision was not what the modders had intended, stating, “For now though, know this was not something we wanted.” They also mentioned that Swegta would be releasing a video soon to shed more light on the situation.

Many fans are already attributing the shutdown to Rockstar and/or Take-Two Interactive, known for their history of interfering with and shutting down fan projects and mods. However, the exact circumstances surrounding this closure remain uncertain.

Swegta confirmed the news on Twitter, stating that he would provide a “proper statement on the situation” on January 21. Additionally, a message on the creator’s website reads: “The Bully Online project is shutting down. Thank you all for playing.”