MIAMI, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- A Miami-Dade judge used his bully pulpit to order a preview of the not-yet-released video game "Bully" to see whether it violates Florida's nuisance laws.
Ronald Friedman on Wednesday ordered Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. to demonstrate the video, scheduled to be released for PlayStation2 next week, so he can determine whether it violates Florida's public nuisance laws that normally are used to prosecute environmental polluters, The Washington Post said.
Miami Attorney Jack Thompson filed suit a month ago, claiming the game's makers designed a "Columbine simulator" into "Bully," which follows a prep school student's life at the fictional Bullworth Academy, the Post said.
Thompson said the game "potentially impinges" on public safety, the Post said. The lawyer said he and Friedman plan to watch the game played in its entirety, no matter how long it takes.
Pre-release reviews of "Bully" indicated reviewers were surprised at the game's lack of violence, the Post said. "Bully" was developed by Take-Two subsidiary Rockstar Games, which also developed the violent "Grand Theft Auto" video games.
