If you've been active on platforms like Steam, Twitch, or gaming YouTube recently, you've likely come across Schedule I. This indie drug dealer simulation game has skyrocketed to become the top-selling title on Valve's platform, surpassing major games like Monster Hunter Wilds, GTA 5, and Marvel Rivals after going viral on social media.
Schedule I was launched just last week and has swiftly climbed to the top of Valve's best-selling and most-played charts. Here's the official description:
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.
Developed and published by TVGS, also known as Tyler, the game's creator recently took to Reddit to express his astonishment at the 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 focused 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 his commitment, Schedule I's Post-launch Patch #4 was released on March 29, addressing several employee bugs and multiplayer issues.
But just how successful is Schedule I? Having emerged from obscurity, it has claimed the top spot on Steam's sales chart, outperforming titles ranging from The Sims competitor inZOI to Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Valve ranks its top-selling games by revenue, which means that despite its budget price, Schedule I is generating more revenue than its full-priced, AAA counterparts.
In terms of player engagement, Schedule I reached a peak of 414,166 concurrent players on Steam over the weekend. This figure positions it within the top 30 most-played games ever on the platform. At the time of writing, more people are playing Schedule I than Monster Hunter Wilds, GTA 5, and Marvel Rivals.
The community's reception to Schedule I has been overwhelmingly positive, with a 98% positive user review rating on Steam. Here are some of the reviews:
"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, it's brilliant. Defo a 10/10"
Schedule I may be a meme game, but its future longevity is uncertain. Nonetheless, developer Tyler's life has undoubtedly been transformed by this success, and substantial content updates are on the horizon.
If you're playing Schedule I, don't miss out on IGN's Schedule I Cheats and Console Commands guide, as well as the Schedule I Multiplayer: How to Play Co-Op guide for an enhanced gaming experience.
