The author of Bully Online explained the reasons for the mod's closure.

Bully Online Author Explains Reasons for Mod's Closure

Cover: Bully Online screenshot

A week ago, it became known that Bully Online was shut down — an ambitious mod adding multiplayer to the cult classic action game Bully. The project curator, using the nickname SWEGTA, promised to reveal details soon, and that moment has now arrived.

As expected, the reason was a demand from either Rockstar or Take-Two. This isn't stated directly, but what's implied between the lines of the phrase "you can make two guesses who's behind this" is perfectly clear.

The mod was not distributed on a paid basis, as was, for example, the case with the VR mod for Cyberpunk 2077. Donations sent to the Bully Online authors as support were voluntary. Therefore, they seemingly can't be accused of profiting from someone else's intellectual property.

"We were ready to make concessions and make changes to the mod. But it was about shutting down the project without any other options," SWEGTA noted.

The enthusiast also believes that threatening legal action in such a situation was unfair. After all, Bully Online literally breathed new life into the old game. And there were quite a few people who bought it specifically for the mod.

In conclusion, SWEGTA noted that he will never work on modifications for Rockstar and Take-Two projects again.