Online bully, a mod that added online multiplayer to Rockstar’s classic open-world game, is shutting down less than a month after launch. The creators have yet to explain why, but fans are already blaming Rockstar Games and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, for the project’s sudden demise.
Developed by Fat Pigeon, a collection of modders and fans, and led by Bully Swegta content creator, Online bully it took years to develop and launched on PC on December 15. The mod added new content like mini-games, multiplayer activities, custom vehicles, and competitive races. Fans were excited to discover it, especially since the original Bully didn’t include online multiplayer and Rockstar doesn’t seem keen on making a sequel or remaster anytime soon. But now, shortly after release, the mod is shutting down.
On January 14, a message was sent to the manager Online bully Discord server announcing that the mod will be stopped “forever” in 24 hours. According to Discord’s announcement, as seen in a post shared by TheNathanNS on Twitter, the developers stop the development of new content and scripts for the mod, remove the source code from the main site and delete all web pages connected to the mod, as well as clearing all account data connected to the project. Modders say players can climb and enjoy Online bully for the next 24 hours until the servers are completely wiped and permanently deleted.
For what Online bully stop? As for why Online bully is being killed, no one involved has provided a clear answer. On Discord, the announcement makes it clear that this wasn’t what the modders intended, saying: “For now, please know that this wasn’t something we wanted.” The posts also promise that Swegta will release a video explaining more soon.
Many fans are already accusing Rockstar and/or Take-Two Interactive, companies that have a long experience of fuck with And stop fan projects and mods. But it’s worth noting that at the moment we don’t know for sure what happened.
My city contacted Swegta and Rockstar Games for more information, but received no response prior to publication.
Swegta himself also confirmed the news on Twitterannouncing Wednesday that he would make an “appropriate statement on the situation” on January 21. On the creator’s website, a new message was added stating: “The Bully Online project is shutting down. Thank you everyone for playing.”