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Rockstar horrified by technical issues with Bully: Scholarship Edition photo

The recent port of Rockstar's private school romp Bully has earned considerable ire from 360 owners, beginning with a NeoGAF forum post and only heating up from there. Complaints include poor framerate, freezing and glitches in the audio, which caused Rockstar president and co-founder Sam Houser to speak out to frustrated consumers about the issue. Here is his statement:

"We have just become aware of the issues people are having with Bully: Scholarship Edition on Xbox 360. It appears that some older 360s are experiencing framerate issues, freezes and other problems," he wrote. "You have our word that we never experienced any of this in QA - in any of our offices or at Microsoft. I am horrified, and we are now working around the clock to rectify this situation. Thanks to NeoGAF for bringing this matter to our attention...We love our games and put a huge amount of energy and care into making them all that they can be," he continued. "We would never shove anything out the door - we never have and never will. We apologize to everyone affected for the inconvenience."

The internet isn't much on understanding or patience, so I don't expect this will quell the bitching too much, but at least more reasonable 360 owners will be sated by the fact that Rockstar is taking action. The statement definitely insinuates that older 360s are a part of the issue, which may be true, but is obviously no excuse for a buggy port. What do you think is at fault -- the older 360 models, or the game itself?

[Via The Escapist - thanks, Jonathan]


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46 comments | showing # 1 to 46

F Whipple's Avatar
F Whipple at 03/06/2008 12:45
I guess it makes too much sense to test a game on an older model.
B-Radicate's Avatar
B-Radicate at 03/06/2008 12:51
The problem, F Whipple, is that they shouldn't HAVE to test their games on older models. The fact Microsoft, through all of their upgrades and changes and such to the hardware, have officially created what are essentially DIFFERENT consoles (seeing as they clearly can't run the same software on them effectively) does not bode well for Microsoft at all.

We sorta forgave them for their troubles because it seems as though they were trying to fix things (with the console's issues, in general). But, did they perhaps go ahead and make things even worse? Time will tell if this happens more often or if this is an isolated incident, but I fear for the worst.
weedgan's Avatar
weedgan at 03/06/2008 12:53
I figure since there has been so many red rings, you know it doesnt matter. It'd be stupid to make it work just on the old hardware considering its all bound to malfunction at sometime.
Vader582's Avatar
Vader582 at 03/06/2008 12:54
I had Bully lock-up once last night and had a few NPCs break into spasms on-screen. As long as a solution is forthcoming soon, Rockstar can get a get out of jail free card. I can play something else from the backlog until then. I'd be more pissed if these issues carry over to the Wii version where downloadable patches (IIRC) are not possible. :shock:
MaxVest's Avatar
MaxVest at 03/06/2008 12:54
It may be that because the QA 360s are heavily used, there aren't a lot of old ones in circulation in those offices anymore.
RevRighteous's Avatar
RevRighteous at 03/06/2008 13:01
B-Radicate is right; one of the major factors for developing for a console is the consistent architecture. You are not supposed to have to worry about variety and inconsistency in the machine like with the PC market. If new Xbox 360's are significantly different enough that this kind of thing can happen, it can make development and testing all the lengthier, as you have to effectively test for two consoles.
big filth's Avatar
big filth at 03/06/2008 13:04
very interesting. I was thinking about picking this game up the other day. glad I didnt now.

hopefully by the time they patch this my attention will be directed elsewhere and I wont have to pick up Bully just because nothing else came out that week.

(yes I know army of 2 came out this week as well, but come on. Army of 2?)
XivSpew's Avatar
XivSpew at 03/06/2008 13:05
If Rockstar, of all companies, missed something this big with their QA on the 360s, i think we're going to see a bit of a slowdown for development times while other companies scramble to test it on as many revisions as they can get their hands on. I have a new-ish 360, myself, so here's hoping my game doesn't die when Gamefly drops it off.
Xbudz's Avatar
Xbudz at 03/06/2008 13:07
What if Bully isn't the only game poorly affected by older 360 hardware?

I have actually suspected for a while that different 360's treat the same games slightly differently... Test Drive Unlimited for example allows you to drive off of the pop-up if you have an old crusty DVD drive... altho in that case, the user which experienced that is a heavy smoker.

I'm still working with my launch day 360, which is nearing 2 and 1/2 years old- part of me wishes it would just die already so I can get a newer model while it's still in warranty.
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 03/06/2008 13:07
The fact that you can't invert the controls in that game when aiming the slingshot and other stuff makes the game almost unplayable. What kind of lazy ass makes a game that uses aiming but doesn't invert the controls for it? I am so disappointed with their lack of look inversion that I can't even play Bully now... At least I have an explanation for why the game played so shitty in the first place.
brainderailment's Avatar
brainderailment at 03/06/2008 13:12
On the positive side, they'll quadruple check the gold copy of GTAIV on as many 360s as they can get their hands on before printing that shit.
Axion22's Avatar
Axion22 at 03/06/2008 13:19
"We would never shove anything out the door - we never have and never will. We apologize to everyone affected for the inconvenience."

WHAT ABOUT THE 360 ITSELF!?!?! LIARS!
Bulrog's Avatar
Bulrog at 03/06/2008 13:19
Honestly how can a company release a system with frequent fail rates? Granted not every 360 has gotten RRoD, but its ridiculous how Microsoft has not fixed this issue yet. Its shit like this that prevents me from getting a 360.
loginsucks2's Avatar
loginsucks2 at 03/06/2008 13:31
I was really looking forward to getting this too. Now I'll wait for the patch... knowing MS it'll take 3 months to release :-\
vexed alex's Avatar
vexed alex at 03/06/2008 13:33
*Awaits patch before buying*
Samit Sarkar's Avatar
Samit Sarkar at 03/06/2008 13:37
@Axion22: Um, the last time I checked, Rockstar had nothing to do with the production of the 360.
Oni's Avatar
Oni at 03/06/2008 13:38
/me hands Axion his Lithium.

Chill out. Also, what Samit said.
Axion22's Avatar
Axion22 at 03/06/2008 13:41
I'll take it back when they don't have offices at Microsoft. :)
Tiff's Avatar
Tiff at 03/06/2008 13:42
THIS DOES NOT BODE WELL
Kryptinite's Avatar
Kryptinite at 03/06/2008 13:50
so i shouldn't buy it today...
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 03/06/2008 13:56
I'm still eternally pissed off about the lack of option to invert controls on Bully. DOES THIS BOTHER ANYBODY ELSE?
king3vbo's Avatar
king3vbo at 03/06/2008 14:01
It must be tough testing games on launch 360s, most of them are probably dead by now :D
Itchy's Avatar
Itchy at 03/06/2008 14:10
king3vbo: You'd be surprised how strong the first batch are.

Well, some of them.
flashbak's Avatar
flashbak at 03/06/2008 14:23
Both Rockstar and Microsoft are to blame for this. There is not a 100% failure rate on the hardware as such MS should have several still around for testing purposes. Rockstar, well... when it comes down to it they are the end of the line. It is their software and it is their bugs, it is their failure for releasing a working stable product.

Unless of course it turns out that the older 360's experiencing the issues are, in fact, on deaths door lol.
Cheeburga's Avatar
Cheeburga at 03/06/2008 14:28
Absolutely dreadful!
Burnt Meatloaf's Avatar
Burnt Meatloaf at 03/06/2008 14:36
I've heard about this issue with other games on older 360s, such as with PinballFX.

When processor cores are re-synthesized, such as during a die shrink, timing issues can arise. This is usually only a problem if the game developers are doing silly things with the hardware. If they code and test for only the newer cores, there might be problems. Similar issues occurred with the PS2 slim. The only way to get perfect compatibility is to follow all the programming guidelines and not depend on specific timing, especially concerning the disc drive.

My guess is that Microsoft and Rockstar are both at fault in their own ways. It happens. What really matters is how, and how quickly, they fix it, and if they learn anything from this.
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 03/06/2008 14:55
*still waiting for look inversion patch*
skullivan's Avatar
skullivan at 03/06/2008 15:00
My 360 is one of those "old ones" (a launch system that is still going strong) that has trouble with certain games, it's definitely as much a software issue as it is hardware because out of the 100+ games I've played on my 360 only two have ever given me real trouble. I couldn't play GRAW2 single player at all because it would lock up on the training mission every single time. Multiplayer worked fine. Two Worlds would also lock up within 10-15 minutes every time. I've had occasional lock ups in other games, but nothing that would happen to the point of the game not being playable.

I just had Bully lock up on me after about an hour. I'm glad Rockstar is at least looking into fixing the problem. Ubisoft denied that the lockups with GRAW2 were their fault (there were hundreds of people who had the same problem on their forums) and even a year later I've never been able to play the game. People would tell me it was a sign my 360 was about to crap out, but again, it's a year later and I've played a couple dozen games since then (including probably 100 hours of COD4) with no problem.
Xbudz's Avatar
Xbudz at 03/06/2008 15:16
MS could be evil and disable the 3 Red Rings with a software patch, forcing people to pay for replacements.
Netrat33's Avatar
Netrat33 at 03/06/2008 15:31
If other games truly had a problem with older machines I might buy their excuse, but this sounds like a big load. Bully is the first time I've ever heard of "older machines" being a problem.
TheToiletDuck's Avatar
TheToiletDuck at 03/06/2008 15:50
Anyone getting a total 'To Catch a Predator' vibe from that Bully promo pic? Call Chris Hansen.

Right that the old machines thing seems suspect but it looks to be that they are working hard to fix the problem. Do Rockstar have a history of poor bug testing?
DaedHead8's Avatar
DaedHead8 at 03/06/2008 15:52
I don't care whos fault it is. Somebody fix it. I've been interested in Bully for awhile now and I'd much rather play the 360 version then the PS2 one.
Eschatos's Avatar
Eschatos at 03/06/2008 16:17
That sucks, but at least it doesn't affect me.
HarassmentPanda's Avatar
HarassmentPanda at 03/06/2008 16:44
I'm sure this has to do with bad drives on a lot of old 360s. The read slower and slower until they give out--I've had it happen to mine. The game is probably just having trouble loading.

I was looking forward to finally trying this game out; I suppose I'll wait for a patch now though.
Holyetheline's Avatar
Holyetheline at 03/06/2008 17:25
So there is still no option to invert controls on Bully.... what the hell is up with that?
nik the anrkist's Avatar
nik the anrkist at 03/06/2008 17:36
Bully is too good for thiss bullshit. It deserves to be played by everyone so it's a shame people are being put off by tech issues.

Hot damn the cook in the canteen is sexy...
bottled dark's Avatar
bottled dark at 03/06/2008 18:58
it's a better response than what most companies would say.
"The issue is with older models of the Xbox 360... so buy a new one."
Wedge's Avatar
Wedge at 03/06/2008 19:09
So...

Is this a game the Wii runs better than the 360 then? XD.
Sharpless's Avatar
Sharpless at 03/06/2008 19:17
OUR DOOM APPROACHES.
Clockwork's Avatar
Clockwork at 03/06/2008 19:50
Wow, good thing I didn't rent it yet. I'd have a shitfit.
c0dek's Avatar
c0dek at 03/06/2008 20:01
quit holding back the important info - how many posts into the thread was it before the first "let's file a class action lawsuit" post, and did it come before or after the inevitable "Rockstar should pay for a free month of Live for everyone who bought this game, read about it in a magazine, or gazed at it on the shelf" post?
akathatoneguy's Avatar
akathatoneguy at 03/06/2008 20:27
I have an idea! Why doesn't MS start selling the old 360's that they refurb to Rockstar and other devs, and sending those of us who have problems new ones? That'd be sweet, actually. Too sweet to actually happen.
Brandon Undead's Avatar
Brandon Undead at 03/06/2008 21:01
They have never and will never push anything out the door?

Has anyone ever played Manhunt 2? Just what are their quality standards?
Necros's Avatar
Necros at 03/06/2008 21:28
I'm sure a patch will be arriving soon, but it's good to hear from Rockstar themselves.
Mxyzptlk's Avatar
Mxyzptlk at 03/06/2008 21:35
I'm a couple hours into the Wii version, haven't had any problems so far. Great game.
Kyousuke Nanbu's Avatar
Kyousuke Nanbu at 03/06/2008 22:56
I bought the 360 version on tuesday, been playing it pretty much non-stop, I got 43.75% thus far, not a single glitch or freeze encountered.

Some framerate issues here and there but nothing that kills the game, guess I finally got lucky for once.
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