A popular PC mod adding online multiplayer to Rockstar's 2006 game Bully has been abruptly removed, just one month after its launch. Developers behind the project expressed reluctance in shutting it down, hinting at external pressure. The takedown raises questions about Rockstar's policies on fan-made multiplayer content.
The Bully Online mod, which enabled players to engage in minigames, role-playing, racing, and defending against NPCs with friends, was spearheaded by Swegta, a YouTuber focused on Rockstar titles. Announced in October 2025, the project was initially planned for limited early access in December via a $8 contribution on Ko-Fi. However, it launched freely as an open-source initiative, quickly gaining viral attention.
On January 15, 2026, the mod was suddenly taken down. The project's Discord server posted a message stating, “this was not something we wanted,” before the server was shut down. Swegta.com has removed all references to the mod, including source code, download pages, and account registrations. The team announced that development of Bully Online scripts would cease and user account data would be deleted. A full statement is promised for January 21, 2026.
While the exact reason remains undisclosed, speculation points to intervention by Rockstar Games. The company's modding policy tolerates single-player, non-commercial mods that respect third-party rights but explicitly excludes multiplayer services or projects adding new games, stories, missions, or maps—categories that fit Bully Online.
This contrasts with Rockstar's evolving stance on modding. In 2015, it banned the FiveM mod for Grand Theft Auto V, citing unauthorized multiplayer and piracy facilitation. By 2023, Rockstar acquired the FiveM team and relaxed policies for creative role-playing mods. Just this week, FiveM introduced a curated digital storefront for GTA V role-playing mods, potentially benefiting Rockstar financially but leaving older titles like Bully without similar support. Meanwhile, projects like San Andreas Multiplayer persist unaffected.