Steam Game Under Fire for Alleged Copyright Infringement

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Summary

  • Schedule 1 surged in popularity on Steam with 130k players in 2 days.
  • The game is being investigated for possible copyright infringement by the developer of Drug Dealer Simulator.
  • Movie Games S.A. claims Schedule 1 may have used elements from Drug Dealer Simulator, but the outcome of the investigation is uncertain.

As Schedule 1 has gained popularity on Steam, it’s caught the attention of another independent developer for potential copyright infringement. This cooperative crime simulator debuted in early access on March 25, 2025, and has been a favorite among PC gamers. However, it seems that its future may be facing some challenges. The resemblance between Schedule 1 and an older drug-dealing management game might not just be a coincidence, as suggested by a recent report.

TVGS’s initial release quickly became a beloved hit on Steam. In only two days, Schedule 1 managed to attract over 130,000 simultaneous players and earned an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating. Yet, it’s not just PC gaming enthusiasts seeking their next indie escapade who have taken notice of its rapid rise in popularity.

Based on a report from the Polish Press Agency, Movie Games S.A., the creators of the Drug Dealer Simulator series, have completed a legal review that suggests Schedule 1 potentially infringed upon the intellectual property rights of the Drug Dealer Simulator games. Fans often praise Drug Dealer Simulator 2 as one of the top criminal management games currently on the market, and it seems that TVGS may share this sentiment if this report is accurate. Movie Games S.A.’s investigation found that Schedule 1 incorporated enough plot, mechanics, and user interface elements from the Drug Deal Simulator series to warrant further scrutiny.

Movie Games S.A. Claims Schedule 1 May Have Borrowed from Drug Dealer Simulator

As a passionate fan, I’m excited to share that Movie Games S.A., in light of the preliminary probe, intends to delve deeper, even consulting legal experts versed in Australian law given TVGS is an Aussie studio. Whether this will result in formal allegations remains undetermined at the moment. However, rest assured, Schedule 1 is still rolling out fresh updates and enjoying a staggering success. As per the investigation, the game has reportedly surpassed The Witcher 3’s peak player count and sold nearly 3 million copies by April 3, 2025.

Gaming copyright cases can sometimes be tricky to navigate. While instances of studios successfully defending their intellectual property rights are plentiful, such as The Pokemon Company’s recent court win with the “Pocket Monster: Remake” case, determining whether something infringes on copyright law or is merely a tribute can be challenging. Additionally, some situations involve similar ideas emerging due to the vast number of people developing video games today, which might lead to cases like the current one between “Schedule 1” and “Drug Dealer Simulator,” where it’s unclear if any wrongdoing has occurred. Movie Games S.A. appears to be investigating this matter further as they find aspects of it suspicious.

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2025-04-05 21:39