Schedule 1 Faces Legal Trouble: Is This the End for the Indie Hit?

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It appears that the popular indie game on Steam, known as Schedule 1 and resembling a simulation of illicit drug dealing, is being scrutinized due to allegations of copyright violations.

Over the last few weeks, major game launches such as Monster Hunter Wilds, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and Split Fiction have been capturing gamers’ attention. However, it was Schedule 1, an indie simulation title, that eventually dominated and has become one of the most-played games so far this year in 2025.

Two weeks since its early access launch, the game centered around simulated drug dealing continues to generate enormous popularity, boasting an impressive number of players, according to SteamDB data.

Despite the continued growth, Schedule 1 has encountered its initial major challenge: the game is currently being scrutinized over potential copyright violations, as reported by InsiderGaming.

Schedule 1 is under investigation for “potential infringement” of Movie Games S.A’s IP

Created by independent developer TVGS, Schedule 1 presents a unique scenario where you produce and market various types of drugs. You can combine these drugs with diverse elements to create unusual outcomes like anti-gravity and even explosive reactions, just to name a few examples.

Despite just starting out in early access, the game has garnered immediate, widespread success. However, it’s also caught the eye of Movie Games S.A., a company known for creating games centered around simulated drug dealing.

On April 3rd, 2025, I received a notice that my work was under investigation. The document, titled “MOVIE GAMES SA (17/2025) Decision to Commence Investigation,” stated the publisher’s concerns about potential IP infringement and unfair competition against them.

The document mentions finding instances where the Issuer’s intellectual property rights could be violated, and there are signs suggesting unethical business practices similar to unfair competition.

According to InsiderGaming, the probe started on March 24, following the release of Schedule 1. Subsequently, they conducted a thorough comparison between the company’s intellectual property (IP), which encompasses their Drug Dealer simulator games, and Schedule 1.

Details about the investigation reveal they’re examining aspects such as the storyline, gameplay mechanics, and user interface of the game.

The person who made Schedule 1 hasn’t replied as of now, but that hasn’t prevented enthusiasts from standing up for themselves.

Currently, Drug Dealer Simulator is receiving overwhelmingly negative reviews on Steam due to players expressing anger and disappointment. This appears to be a response to an ongoing investigation involving a rival studio, causing some players to retaliate by leaving negative reviews for the games from that studio.

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2025-04-07 04:48