Update []: Drug Dealer Simulator's publisher has now issued a statement to "share some facts" regarding the situation, insisting there's "no ill will" and no lawsuit against Schedule 1, but that an investigation was deemed a necessary step.
The analysis and investigation were necessary in the light of repeating opinions that the games are very similar. By not investigating it, Movie Games, being a publicly traded company, could face severe consequences for negligence.
There is no ill will towards TVGS. We even mailed them best wishes shortly before the release, when the game was already huge, but before the investigation was deemed necessary. However, we are obligated to perform this investigation, act accordingly to the scope of the infringement if it is confirmed, and inform the public about it via ESPI.
Original Story: If you haven't heard about Schedule 1 yet, it's an extremely popular indie game that's racked up a ton of sales on Steam over the past couple of weeks, but it's currently under investigation from the publisher behind Drug Dealer Simulator.
A Polish report notes that publisher MOVIE GAMES SA believes its IP has been infringed by Schedule 1, highlighting the many similarities between that game and both Drug Dealer Simulator 1 and 2. Here's an excerpt from it:
"On March 24, 2025, i.e. on the day of the release of Schedule 1, the Issuer's internal resources began a comparative analysis of the Company's IP, which includes, m.in, Drug Dealer Simulator and Drug Dealer Simulator 2 and the Schedule 1 project, as a result of which the use of many elements covered by copyright, including elements of the game's plot, mechanics, as well as UI - User Interface."
This controversy has led to Drug Dealer Simulator receiving "overwhelmingly negative" reviews on Steam over the past few days, which isn't a great look considering it's just about to release for Xbox consoles on April 16th.
Nevertheless, the creators clearly feel there's a strong case here, so it'll be interesting to see how it develops and whether the Schedule 1 team will suffer any ramifications for it. Who'd have thought we'd be talking about two popular drug dealer games being locked in an infringement war in April 2025?!
Schedule 1 isn't coming to Xbox just yet, but the developer has said it would "love" to bring the game to Xbox consoles. In the meantime, Drug Dealer Simulator will attempt to steal its thunder with its Xbox release next week.
Have a look at the two games for yourself - make up your own verdict on whether they're too similar!
Any thoughts on this? Have you played either of these games? Tell us in the comments below.
[source biznes.pap.pl]
Comments 11
Australia has a big drug problem, I don't think this will go too far here
Strange though because things like GTA are fine, and I'd argue that's worse
So essentially a turf war between two rival drug dealer sims. Man taking the sim realism to the next level.
They deserve the review bomb.
I prefer the friendly stoney drug dealers compared to the gangster wanna be hard man drug dealers that thinks he is Tony Montana with his little bag of herbs but that's just me 🤷
Meh, I don't see this doing well lol.
Having watched both videos, I don't see many commonalities. All I can think of is that both have the same theme; the sale of drugs. So are MOVIE GAMES SA seriously expecting to win a case on that basis alone? Games often share pretty much identical themes, be it shooters, racers, or football. Surely MOVIE GAMES SA cannot think that because they did it first, no one else can do it forever after...? Just a dumb move in my opinion...
The two games are completely different and only share the same theme. Game devs can't stake claim to an entire concept for a video game. It's like the Harvest Moon IP holder going after any game with farming in it like Stardew Valley. In fact just about all of the ideas in Drug Dealer Simulator originated elsewhere.
Oh no, they're being investigated by... another privately owned company. How scary.
Hope they've got their best detectives on it because I think they're going to struggle to prove any infringements. It's like if the Euro truck guys got territorial on all the other people that revolve around driving a truck. Of course there's gameplay similarities, the two games share a theme. Unless there's actual theft of code or assets I imagine they'll be sol.
Watched the vids. Yeah, I'm calling bullsh*t. It's like Rockstar taking legal action against anyone developing an open world crime simulator.
I sincerely hope Movie Games SA sales suffer as a result of their bully-boy tactics.
Aside from the fact the there both sim games involving drugs it seems like from what I can tell the similarities end there but hey if they want to burn there money and time on a case that will go nowhere more power to them
It would be ironic if those behind Movie Games SA were high as a kite when they made this decision...
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