"Schedule I: Indie Drug Dealer Sim Outselling GTA 5, Monster Hunter Wilds"

If you've been active on platforms like Steam, Twitch, or gaming YouTube recently, you've likely come across Schedule I. This indie drug dealer simulation game has taken the gaming world by storm, becoming the top-selling title on Valve's platform. It has outpaced major titles such as Monster Hunter Wilds, GTA 5, and Marvel Rivals after going viral on social media.

Schedule I was launched last week and swiftly climbed to the top of Valve's best-selling and most-played charts. Here's the official description:

From small-time dope pusher to kingpin - manufacture and distribute a range of drugs throughout the grungy city of Hyland Point. Expand your empire with properties, businesses, employees, and more.

The game is developed and published by TVGS, also known as Tyler, who recently shared his thoughts on Reddit about the game's explosive launch:

“Honestly, it’s amazing but pretty overwhelming,” Tyler said. “I never expected this kind of response! At the moment, I’m just trying to stay focused and get patches out ASAP. Also looking forward to getting started on content updates as soon as all major bugs are patched.”

In line with Tyler's commitment to improving the game, Schedule I's Post-launch Patch #4 was released on March 29, addressing several employee bugs and multiplayer issues.

The success of Schedule I is undeniable. Despite being a new release, it has surged to the top of Steam's sales chart, surpassing games like inZOI and Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Valve ranks its top-selling chart by revenue, indicating that Schedule I, despite its budget-friendly price, is generating more income than many full-priced AAA titles.

In terms of player engagement, Schedule I reached a peak of 414,166 concurrent players on Steam over the weekend, securing its place among the top 30 most-played games ever on the platform. At the time of writing, it boasts more players than Monster Hunter Wilds, GTA 5, and Marvel Rivals.

The player base is overwhelmingly positive about the game. On Steam, it holds an 'overwhelmingly positive' user review rating, with 98% of reviews being positive. Here are some standout reviews:

• "A woman came up to me and asked for weed, didn't like the price I offered, proceeded to stab me with a broken glass bottle. 10/10"
• "Love this game"
• "I was dealing drugs in an RV and it blew up"
• "Got a motel and sold some weed"
• "Created a meth empire"
• "Then hopped on the game"
• "Really great and hilarious game. Fun game loop and hilarious fun when playing with friends. I know it is in early access but I'd like the police to be a bit more active (They could search your place, look for you even after escaping, run speed greater than the players) as well as gang warfare and a larger map. Still, in its current state, it's brilliant. Defo a 10/10"

Schedule I is undeniably a meme game, and its longevity remains to be seen. However, for developer Tyler, the impact of this success is life-changing, with substantial content updates on the horizon.

If you're diving into Schedule I, make sure to check out IGN’s Schedule I Cheats and Console Commands guide, as well as the Schedule I Multiplayer: How to Play Co-Op guide for the best gaming experience.