If you've browsed Steam, Twitch, or gaming YouTube recently, you've likely encountered Schedule I. This indie drug trafficking simulator has unexpectedly topped Valve's sales charts, outperforming major titles like Monster Hunter Wilds, GTA 5, and Marvel Rivals after going viral across social platforms.
Released last week, Schedule I rapidly climbed to the highest positions on Valve's best-selling and most-played rankings. Here's the official game description:
Start as a small-time dealer and rise to become a criminal mastermind - produce and distribute various narcotics across the gritty metropolis of Hyland Point. Build your empire by acquiring properties, businesses, and hiring staff.
The game was developed and published by solo developer Tyler under TVGS, who recently shared his thoughts on Reddit about the game's explosive launch:
"Honestly it's incredible but slightly overwhelming," Tyler commented. "I never anticipated this level of success! Currently focused on rolling out patches and addressing bugs before moving onto content expansions."
The latest Post-launch Patch #4 arrived on March 29, resolving various employee-related glitches and multiplayer connectivity problems.
So what makes Schedule I's success so remarkable? Despite emerging unexpectedly, it currently leads Steam's revenue-based sales charts, surpassing premium-priced AAA competitors like inZOI and Assassin's Creed Shadows - proving its budget price point hasn't limited its financial performance.
The game achieved an impressive peak of 414,166 simultaneous players on Steam during its opening weekend, securing a spot among Steam's top 30 most-played titles historically. At present, its player count exceeds established franchises like GTA 5 and upcoming releases like Marvel Rivals.
Player reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with a 98% approval rating on Steam. Some standout user reviews include:
"Got robbed at knife-point by a dissatisfied customer. Perfect simulation - 10/10 would deal again"
"Built a meth empire from my trailer home... then decided to try the actual game"
"Fantastic satire with solid gameplay foundations. While early access shows room for expansion (more dynamic law enforcement, gang territories), the current experience delivers nonstop laughs - especially in co-op."
While its longevity as a meme-driven phenomenon remains uncertain, developer Tyler has already achieved life-changing success. Substantial content updates are planned following initial bug fixes.
For new players, check out IGN's comprehensive guides covering cheat codes and cooperative multiplayer setup in Schedule I.
