Copyright Accuser Faces Review Bombing Backlash

In a twist of events, indie game Schedule I finds itself at the center of a copyright infringement controversy, but it's the accuser, Movie Games S.A., who's feeling the heat from fans. Dive into the details of the accusation and discover what's next for Schedule I with its upcoming updates.

Schedule I Recent Updates

Schedule I’s Copyright Infringement Accuser Gets Review Bombed on Steam

The indie game Schedule I, a dope pushing simulator, has been thrust into the spotlight after being accused of copyright infringement by Movie Games S.A., the creators behind The Drug Dealer Simulator series. As reported by the Polish Press Agency on April 3, Movie Games S.A. claims that Schedule I may have infringed on their intellectual property rights, citing similarities in plot, mechanics, and even the user interface of their games.

Although no official outcomes have emerged from the investigation yet, the gaming community has already taken sides, with Schedule I garnering significant support. This support has manifested in the form of review bombing on Steam against Movie Games S.A.'s titles, The Drug Dealer Simulator and Drug Dealer Simulator 2, now bearing the labels "Overwhelmingly Negative" and "Mostly Negative" respectively.

The backlash stems from accusations of bullying by Movie Games S.A. towards the indie developer, coupled with claims of hypocrisy. Critics point out that similar titles have existed without facing legal challenges until Schedule I came along. Despite these controversies, The Drug Dealer Simulator series has been celebrated as one of the top criminal management games by various outlets and fans.

Schedule I offers a fresh take on co-op crime simulation, where players start as small-time dope pushers aiming to rise to kingpin status. Launched into Early Access on PC on March 25, it has quickly risen to acclaim, securing "Overwhelmingly Positive" reviews on Steam. It currently ranks as the 2nd top-selling game on Steam, surpassing notable titles like inZOI, Monster Hunter Wilds, and the indie-developed R.E.P.O. SteamDB reports that Schedule I reached an all-time peak of 459,075 concurrent players.

At Game8, we found Schedule I to be a surprisingly addictive and rewarding experience, likening it to a "Breaking Bad" simulator. For a deeper dive into our thoughts on the early access release of Schedule I, explore our detailed review below!