Bully game dropped from UK shops

Images from the game have shocked anti-bullying campaigners

A video game depicting playground violence has been banned from some UK shops.

Bully, known in the UK as Canis Canem Edit, will not be stocked in Currys or PC World.

A spokesman for parent company DSG International said the videogame was not in keeping with its "family-friendly image".

Questions have been asked about the game in the House of Commons and children's charities have condemned it.

In the US there have been attempts to have it banned in some states. Florida lawyer Jack Thompson had argued that Bully - a PlayStation 2 title developed by Rockstar Games - was a "Columbine simulator". A judge decided against a ban earlier this week.

Sensitive issue

The decision to ban the game from stores under the DSG International umbrella is "very unusual" according to spokesman Hamish Thompson.

"We took a view that because it touches on a sensitive issue - violence in school - that it is not a product we would stock," he said.

"We are committed to a good working relationship with Rockstar Games and will continue to stock all of its other titles," he added.

These include Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which has also been the subject of controversy due to its depiction of violence.

In recent years DSG International has withdrawn two other games, Hitman and Manhunt.

"We decided to take them off our shelves. There was a lot of tabloid focus on them. With Hitman, there were religious sensitivities," explained Mr Thompson.

The Bully game - which carries a 15-certificate in the UK - shows a character defending himself from school bullies. Tackling the bullies and stopping them from picking on other children is a key feature of the game.

It is due to be released on 27 October and anyone wanting to get their hands on the title will not have too much difficulty as other UK stores including Game, HMV and Woolworths, will all stock it.