If you've been active on platforms like Steam, Twitch, or gaming YouTube recently, you might have noticed the buzz around Schedule I. This indie drug dealer simulator has skyrocketed to the top of Steam's charts, outpacing giants like Monster Hunter Wilds, GTA 5, and Marvel Rivals. Its viral spread across social media has propelled it to become the top-selling game on Valve's platform shortly after its launch last week.
Here's the official description of Schedule I:
From small-time dope pusher to kingpin - manufacture and distribute a range of drugs throughout the grungy city of Hyland Point. Expand your empire with properties, businesses, employees and more.
The game's developer and publisher, TVGS, known simply as Tyler, shared his thoughts on Reddit about the game's explosive launch:
“Honestly it’s amazing but pretty overwhelming,” Tyler said. “I never expected this kind of response! At the moment I’m just trying to stay focussed and get patches out ASAP. Also looking forward to getting started on content updates as soon as all major bugs are patched.”
In line with these efforts, Schedule I's Post-launch Patch #4 was released on March 29, addressing several employee bugs and multiplayer issues.
So, just how successful is Schedule I? After seemingly coming out of nowhere, it has secured the top spot on Steam's best-selling list, surpassing titles like the Sims competitor inZOI and Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Valve ranks its top sellers by revenue, indicating that despite its budget price, Schedule I is generating more income than its full-priced, triple-A competitors.
In terms of player engagement, Schedule I reached a peak of 414,166 concurrent players on Steam over the weekend, placing it among the top 30 most-played games ever on the platform. At the time of writing, it continues to draw more players than Monster Hunter Wilds, GTA 5, and Marvel Rivals.
The game's reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with a 98% positive user review rating on Steam. Here are some of the colorful reviews from players:
"A woman came up to me and asked for weed, didn't like the price I offered, proceeded to stab me with a broken glass bottle. 10/10"
"Love this game"
"I was dealing drugs in an RV and it blew up"
"Got a motel and sold some weed"
"Created a meth empire"
"Then hopped on the game"
"Really great and hilarious game. Fun game loop and hilarious fun when playing with friends. I know it is in early access but I'd like the police to be a bit more active (They could search your place, look for you even after escaping, run speed greater than the players) as well as gang warfare and a larger map. Still in its current state its brilliant. Defo a 10/10"
While Schedule I is undeniably a meme game, its future longevity remains uncertain. However, developer Tyler is poised to benefit significantly from this success, with plans for substantial content updates on the horizon.
For those diving into Schedule I, be sure to check out IGN's guides on Schedule I Cheats and Console Commands, and Schedule I Multiplayer: How to Play Co-Op.
