Schedule I (video game)

"Schedule I" is a category of drugs in U.S. that are classified as substances with no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Examples include heroin, LSD, cannabis (marijuana), MDMA (ecstasy), methaqualone, and peyote. == Gameplay ==

Schedule I is a first person game where players assume the role of a drug dealer in the fictional city of Hyland Point. Players grow and manufacture various strains of marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, and psilocybin mushrooms, which can be sold to the city's residents. Drugs can be mixed with various ingredients (such as soft drinks or paracetamol) in order to create unusual comedic effects when smoked, ranging from changing hair color to creating explosions, but the main appeal of mixing drugs is that it raises the amount it can be sold for, thus creating more profit. Players must avoid police officers while selling drugs and are subject to random searches, road blocks, and curfews. If the player is spotted breaking the law they will be "wanted" and subject to arrest, in a system similar to the Grand Theft Auto series. As the game progresses, players may expand their business by hiring various employees such as dealers, cooks, janitors, and botanists; as well as purchasing properties for drug manufacturing and businesses for money laundering. == Story ==

The game opens with the player living in the desert with their uncle Nelson. After completing the prologue, Nelson is arrested by the police. The player escapes in an RV and moves to Hyland Point. After Nelson calls from prison, the player's RV is blown up by the Benzies, a rival cartel, who leave a note warning the player to stay out of their territory. After renting a motel room, the player is left to their own devices while Nelson provides guidance over a payphone. While building their drug empire, the player and their dealers are frequently attacked by the Benzies, who are the main antagonist of the game. The choice can be made to truce with the Benzies by producing product for them every 2–3 weeks, however, this will lock the player out of two of the unlockable areas considered Benzies terriritory. Should the player refuse to truce with the Benzies, they can reduce their influence in multiple regions of the city by unlocking new customers, spraying graffiti, and defeating ambushes that occur spontaneously throughout the game. Once the player has unlocked all regions of the city, the final mission is unlocked, in which a bomb can be created and planted below the residence of the Benzies to wipe them out. == Release and reception ==

Following its early access launch on the 24th of March, 2025, Schedule I quickly rose to the top of Steam's sales charts, with a player count surpassing major titles like Grand Theft Auto V and Monster Hunter Wilds. The game received positive reviews from critics, who praised its minigame crafting system. Travis Northup at IGN described that the game "mashes its dark subject matter and dirty jokes with surprisingly cozy management mechanics in a way that works really well". On 12 May, Schedule I became unavailable on Steam in Australia. Initially, it was believed the game had been banned due to its content, with Australian players seeing a notice saying "This item is currently unavailable in your region". The developer later stated that the game was not banned, but temporarily unavailable due to content classification issues, and that they are working on resolving the issues as soon as possible. As of July 2025, the restriction has now been lifted after receiving a rating, enabling Australian players to experience the game again. Schedule I has generated an estimated $60–125 million in gross revenue within just months of release. The game was nominated for Best Early Access Game and won the Breakthrough Award at the Golden Joystick Awards 2025. == Controversy ==

Schedule I has faced scrutiny due to alleged similarities with Drug Dealer Simulator, published by Movie Games SA. The publisher has initiated an investigation into potential intellectual property infringement, citing parallels in gameplay loops and UI design. However, no formal legal action has been taken. Tyler, the developer behind Schedule I, confirmed contact from Movie Games but noted no further communication. The situation has sparked backlash among players, leading to review bombing for Drug Dealer Simulator and its sequel, Drug Dealer Simulator 2. Analysts, including Vices Shaun Cichacki, acknowledge similarities but argue that such mechanics are common in the genre. == References ==