If you've been browsing Steam, Twitch, or gaming YouTube channels recently, you've likely come across Schedule I, an indie drug dealer simulation game that has skyrocketed to become the top-selling title on Valve's platform. This game has outpaced major titles like Monster Hunter Wilds, GTA 5, and Marvel Rivals, thanks to its viral spread across social media.
Launched just last week, Schedule I has swiftly climbed to the top of Valve's best-selling and most-played charts. The game's official description reads:
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.
Schedule I is the brainchild of developer and publisher TVGS, known simply as Tyler. In a recent Reddit post, Tyler expressed his astonishment at the game's explosive launch, stating, "Honestly, it’s amazing but pretty overwhelming. 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 this commitment, Schedule I's Post-launch Patch #4 was released on March 29, addressing several employee bugs and multiplayer issues.
The success of Schedule I is undeniable. Not only is it the top-selling game on Steam, surpassing even full-priced AAA titles like The Sims competitor inZOI and Assassin’s Creed Shadows, but it also boasts impressive player engagement. Over the weekend, the game reached a peak of 414,166 concurrent players on Steam, securing its place among the top 30 most-played games ever on the platform. At the time of writing, Schedule I continues to have more active players than Monster Hunter Wilds, GTA 5, and Marvel Rivals.
The game's reception on Steam is overwhelmingly positive, with 98% of user reviews being favorable. Here are a few highlights from the community:
- "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"
While Schedule I is clearly a meme game, its future longevity remains uncertain. However, developer Tyler is not likely to be concerned, as his life has been transformed by this success, and he's already planning substantial content updates.
If you're diving into Schedule I, make sure to check out IGN's guides on Schedule I Cheats and Console Commands and Schedule I Multiplayer: How to Play Co-Op for the best gaming experience.
