Schedule I Copyright Infringement Accuser Faces Backlash
The indie game Schedule I, a dope pushing simulator, finds itself at the center of a copyright infringement controversy. Movie Games S.A., the developers behind the The Drug Dealer Simulator series, have accused Schedule I of infringing on their intellectual property rights. According to a report from the Polish Press Agency on April 3, Movie Games S.A. claims that Schedule I has replicated elements such as the plot, mechanics, and user interface from their series.
Despite the ongoing legal analysis, fans have taken sides, and it appears that Schedule I enjoys more support. As a result, The Drug Dealer Simulator and Drug Dealer Simulator 2 have faced significant backlash on Steam, with their ratings plummeting to "Overwhelmingly Negative" and "Mostly Negative" respectively.
The negative reviews largely criticize Movie Games S.A. for what fans perceive as bullying an indie developer. Critics also highlight the perceived hypocrisy of Movie Games S.A., noting that similar games existed without issue until Schedule I's release. This reaction is notable, given that the Drug Dealer Simulator series is often praised as one of the top criminal management games by various gaming outlets and fans.
Schedule I is a fresh co-op crime simulation game where players begin as small-time dope pushers and strive to become kingpins. Launched in Early Access on PC on March 25, the game has garnered "Overwhelmingly Positive" reviews on Steam and currently ranks as the platform's 2nd top-selling game. It has outperformed well-known titles like inZOI, Monster Hunter Wilds, and the indie-developed R.E.P.O.. As reported by SteamDB, Schedule I has reached an all-time peak of 459,075 concurrent players.
At Game8, we found Schedule I to be a surprisingly addictive and rewarding experience, earning it the nickname "Breaking Bad" simulator. To dive deeper into our thoughts on the game's early access release, check out our detailed article below!
