If you've been active on platforms like Steam, Twitch, or gaming YouTube recently, you've likely come across Schedule I, an indie drug dealer simulator that has skyrocketed to become the top-selling game on Valve's platform. This game has outshined major titles such as Monster Hunter Wilds, GTA 5, and Marvel Rivals, gaining immense popularity after going viral on social media.
Launched just last week, Schedule I 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.
The game is developed and published by TVGS, known simply as Tyler, who recently shared his thoughts on Schedule I's explosive launch on Reddit.
“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 various employee bugs and multiplayer issues.
So, just how successful is Schedule I? Emerging from obscurity, it has become the top-selling game on Steam, surpassing even high-profile titles like inZOI and Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Valve's top-selling chart is sorted by revenue, indicating that the budget-priced 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, securing a spot in the top 30 most-played games ever on the platform. At the time of this article, it boasts more active players than Monster Hunter Wilds, GTA 5, and Marvel Rivals.
Moreover, players are thoroughly enjoying Schedule I, as evidenced by its 'overwhelmingly positive' user review rating on Steam, with 98% of reviews being positive. Here are a few standout comments:
"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 long-term viability remains to be seen. However, developer Tyler is set to benefit significantly, with his life forever changed and substantial content updates on the horizon.
If you're diving into Schedule I, be sure to check out IGN's guides on Schedule I Cheats and Console Commands, as well as Schedule I Multiplayer: How to Play Co-Op for an enhanced gaming experience.
