Schedule I – The Darkly Hilarious Crime Sim You Didn’t Know You Needed

🧬 Introduction

Schedule I, developed by solo developer TVGS, is an Early Access first-person crime simulator that has taken Steam by storm. Combining drug empire management, hands-on production minigames, and a wildly dark sense of humor, it lets you step into the role of a small-time dealer looking to build a full-blown criminal enterprise.

Think Breaking Bad meets GTA, with a splash of co-op chaos and satirical flair. If you’re looking for an offbeat yet polished simulator that blends humor with high-stakes gameplay, Schedule I is an indie surprise hit you’ll want to check out.

🛠️ Game Overview

• Developer: TVGS (Solo indie developer)

• Release Date: March 24, 2025 (Early Access)

• Platform: PC (Steam)

• Genre: First-Person Crime Simulator, Management, Co-op

🎯 Core Gameplay

🧪 Build a Drug Empire

Start small by growing marijuana in your garage, but quickly scale up into mass production of meth and cocaine. You’ll need to manage inventory, recipes, and customer demands—all while avoiding the cops and rival gangs.

• Grow, process, and refine multiple drug types

• Mix substances using unique recipes and ingredients (even soda!)

• Distribute your product in-person or online via the dark web

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Cooperative Multiplayer

Play solo or with up to 4 friends in full co-op. Manage operations together, divide tasks, and defend your labs from raids. Co-op adds a chaotic and hilarious dynamic, where communication is key—and mistakes are explosive.

⚙️ Hands-On Minigames

Rather than just clicking menus, Schedule I immerses you in the production line with satisfying physical tasks:

• Trim plants, mix chemicals, package drugs

• Customize your lab and hire NPC workers

• Manage risk levels, cleanliness, and time pressure

🗺️ World & Exploration

Set in the fictional town of Hyland Point, the open world is filled with interactive locations like:

• Apartment safehouses

• Abandoned labs

• Gas stations, dealers, and shady storefronts

• Police checkpoints and unpredictable encounters

Every decision—from what car you drive to how you hide your product—can impact your empire’s survival.

💸 Management & Upgrades

• Purchase equipment to automate production

• Hire staff to work labs, run errands, and protect territory

• Buy properties and fake businesses to launder money

• Customize your character with outfits, weapons, and more

🎨 Visual & Audio Design

🎮 Art Style

The visuals are stylized and clean, with cartoonish NPCs that contrast hilariously against the mature themes. There’s a strong indie vibe, but it runs surprisingly smooth with polished animations and UI.

🔊 Sound & Music

• Atmospheric background tracks that shift with tension

• Comedic voice lines and reactions from NPCs

• Alarms, explosions, and sound cues enhance immersion

🏆 Community & Reception

Schedule I shot up to Steam’s top-selling chart within days of release, boasting:

• Overwhelmingly Positive user reviews

• Over 450,000 concurrent players at peak

• Massive presence on YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch for its comedic potential and WTF moments

Players love its blend of simulation depth and absurdity, comparing it favorably to classics like Drug Dealer Simulator, My Summer Car, and Cooking Simulator—but with more personality and chaos.

🏁 Final Verdict

Schedule I is one of the most unexpectedly addictive and entertaining indie games of 2025. Beneath its outrageous premise lies a tight, rewarding simulator that’s constantly evolving. With its open-ended design, endlessly creative co-op, and commitment to letting you run the wildest drug business imaginable, it’s easy to see why it’s blowing up.

If you're into games that break the rules, make you laugh, and give you full control over your empire, Schedule I is an Early Access gem worth playing—especially with friends.