In a surprising twist in the gaming world, indie title Schedule I, a co-op crime simulation game, finds itself at the center of a copyright infringement controversy. The accuser, Movie Games S.A., developers of the The Drug Dealer Simulator series, have claimed that Schedule I may have violated their IP rights by allegedly copying their game's plot, mechanics, and user interface. The accusation was reported by the Polish Press Agency on April 3, following a completed legal analysis by Movie Games S.A.
Despite the ongoing investigation and no official outcomes yet, the gaming community has taken sides, and it appears that Schedule I enjoys more support. In a remarkable display of fan loyalty, The Drug Dealer Simulator and Drug Dealer Simulator 2 have been subjected to review bombing on Steam, resulting in "Overwhelmingly Negative" and "Mostly Negative" ratings, respectively. The backlash stems from accusations of bullying by Movie Games S.A. against the indie developer, coupled with claims of hypocrisy, as similar titles were not previously targeted.
This controversy unfolds as Schedule I, released for Early Access on PC on March 25, continues to enjoy immense popularity. The game has received "Overwhelmingly Positive" reviews on Steam and ranks as the platform's 2nd top-selling game, surpassing well-known titles like inZOI, Monster Hunter Wilds, and R.E.P.O.. With an all-time peak of 459,075 concurrent players according to SteamDB, Schedule I is making waves in the gaming community.
At Game8, we found Schedule I to be an unexpectedly addictive and rewarding experience, reminiscent of a "Breaking Bad" simulator. To delve deeper into our insights on Schedule I's early access release, be sure to check out our detailed article below!
Schedule I Recent Updates
Schedule I’s Copyright Infringement Accuser Gets Review Bombed on Steam
The fervor surrounding Schedule I and the copyright infringement claims by Movie Games S.A. has led to a significant reaction from the gaming community. Fans have rallied behind Schedule I, expressing their discontent through review bombing The Drug Dealer Simulator series. This backlash underscores the community's support for indie developers and their disdain for perceived corporate overreach.
Despite the controversy, The Drug Dealer Simulator series has been lauded as one of the best criminal management games by various outlets and fans. However, the recent negative reviews highlight the community's frustration with Movie Games S.A.'s actions, especially given the presence of other similar titles that were not previously targeted.
