If you've been active on platforms like Steam, Twitch, or gaming YouTube recently, you've likely noticed the buzz around Schedule I. This indie drug dealer simulator has skyrocketed to become the top-selling game on Valve's platform, outpacing major titles such as Monster Hunter Wilds, GTA 5, and Marvel Rivals 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 game's 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, known simply as Tyler, he recently shared his thoughts on the game'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 released Post-launch Patch #4 on March 29, addressing several employee-related bugs and multiplayer issues.
So, just how successful is **Schedule I**? Emerging from obscurity, it has claimed the top spot on Steam's sales chart, surpassing games like *inZOI* and *Assassin’s Creed Shadows*. Valve ranks its top-selling chart 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, placing it among the top 30 most-played games ever on the platform. At the time of writing, it boasts more active players than Monster Hunter Wilds, GTA 5, and Marvel Rivals.
The game has also received an 'overwhelmingly positive' user review rating on Steam, with 98% of reviews being positive. Here are some of the 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 may be seen as a meme game, its future longevity remains uncertain. However, for developer Tyler, the game's success has undoubtedly transformed his life, and he is already planning substantial content updates.
If you're diving into Schedule I, don't miss IGN's guides on Schedule I Cheats and Console Commands and Schedule I Multiplayer: How to Play Co-Op.