Key Takeaways
1. Dan Houser discussed the lack of resources as the reason for not creating a sequel to Bully, despite fan interest.
2. Rockstar prioritizes major franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption over smaller projects like Bully.
3. Managing multiple high-pressure projects has been a challenge for Houser, both at Rockstar and his new studio, Absurd Ventures.
4. After leaving Rockstar, Houser founded Absurd Ventures and is working on a graphic novel titled American Caper and a novel called A Better Paradise.
5. Houser remains optimistic about Grand Theft Auto VI, which is set to release on May 26, 2026, but is not involved in its development.
During the Los Angeles Comic Con 2025, Dan Houser, who is one of the founders of Rockstar Games, talked openly about the fans’ requests for a sequel to Bully in a revealing interview. He explained that a follow-up to Bully never happened because the studio lacked the necessary resources.
Reflecting on Bully’s Success
In an interview with Ryan McCaffrey from IGN on September 27, Houser reminisced about the success of Bully, which was released in 2006. The game provided a satirical look at high school life through the character of a rebellious student named Jimmy Hopkins. When asked why Rockstar didn’t revisit the Bully universe despite the ongoing interest from fans, Houser simply said, “I think it was just bandwidth problems. You know, with a small creative lead team and a limited senior leadership, you can’t tackle all the projects you wish.”
Prioritizing Major Franchises
Rockstar has been under immense pressure to meet high expectations since the massive success of titles like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. These major franchises have taken priority over smaller projects, such as a potential Bully sequel.
Houser shared that managing several high-pressure projects with limited direction has been challenging. He also drew comparisons to his current work at Absurd Ventures, saying, “And as we’re structured at (Houser’s current studio) Absurd Ventures, we’re working on two projects with a relatively small team, and it’s a real struggle to figure out how to keep both moving forward.”
New Ventures After Rockstar
After leaving Rockstar in 2020, a company he started with his brother Sam in 1998, Houser channeled his experiences into a new venture called Absurd Ventures in 2021. This new studio is currently developing a 12-issue crime-fic graphic novel titled American Caper, which is set to launch on November 12, 2025. Additionally, a novel called A Better Paradise, which started as a podcast, will be released soon after.
In the meantime, Rockstar is focusing intensely on what could be one of the largest game releases ever. Grand Theft Auto VI is expected to hit the shelves on May 26, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S|X, with a PC version coming later.
Looking Ahead
Although Houser is not part of the GTA VI development team, he remains hopeful for the game’s success. He remarked, “So I think the world’s probably had enough GTA from me. There’s always new stories to tell. It’s not going to be a narrative I crafted or characters I developed. I believe it’ll be thrilling. I’m sure the game will be fantastic.”
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