Copyright Infringer Faces Review Bombing Backlash

Schedule I is embroiled in a copyright infringement controversy, yet the accuser, Movie Games S.A., finds their games on the receiving end of a fan-led review bombing campaign on Steam. Dive deeper into the accusations and discover what's next for Schedule I in their upcoming update.

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Schedule I’s Copyright Infringement Accuser Faces Backlash on Steam

The indie game, Schedule I, a dope pushing simulator, has been accused of infringing on the intellectual property rights of The Drug Dealer Simulator series, developed by Movie Games S.A. According to a report from the Polish Press Agency dated April 3, Movie Games S.A. alleges that Schedule I has replicated their game's plot, mechanics, and even user interface.

Although no official legal action has been announced yet, the gaming community has taken sides, with Schedule I garnering significant support. Consequently, The Drug Dealer Simulator and Drug Dealer Simulator 2 have seen a surge in negative reviews on Steam, now classified as "Overwhelmingly Negative" and "Mostly Negative" respectively.

The recent reviews criticize Movie Games S.A. for what some perceive as bullying tactics against an indie developer. Critics also point out the company's apparent double standards, noting that similar games were released without any legal challenges until Schedule I hit the market. This backlash is notable, given that The Drug Dealer Simulator series is highly regarded as one of the premier criminal management games by various media outlets and the gaming community.

Schedule I is a fresh co-op crime simulation game where players begin as small-time dealers and aim to rise to the ranks of a kingpin. Launched into Early Access on PC on March 25, it has earned "Overwhelmingly Positive" reviews on Steam and currently ranks as the platform's second top-selling game, surpassing titles like inZOI, Monster Hunter Wilds, and the indie hit R.E.P.O. SteamDB reports that Schedule I has achieved an all-time peak of 459,075 concurrent players.

Here at Game8, we found Schedule I to be a captivating and rewarding experience, likening it to a "Breaking Bad" simulator. For more detailed insights into our experience with Schedule I’s Early Access release, feel free to explore our in-depth article below!