Location: HOMELatest Game IssuesThe Rise of Schedule 1 and Its Unauthorized PlayStation Imitators

The Rise of Schedule 1 and Its Unauthorized PlayStation Imitators

2025-09-09 16:39:43

Schedule 1 – Drug Dealer represents the latest in a series of imitation games capitalizing on the absence of an official PlayStation version of the groundbreaking title Schedule 1. This independently developed sensation on Steam has emerged as one of 2025's top-selling games, inevitably attracting numerous clones across various digital marketplaces.

Schedule 1

The game's rapid ascent to popularity began almost immediately after its Steam debut. Developed by a solo creator known as Tyler, this unconventional drug trade simulation attracted hundreds of thousands of players within weeks. At its peak engagement, Schedule 1 reached nearly 460,000 simultaneous players, achieving numbers comparable to major AAA titles like Call of Duty: Warzone. By May 2025, reported sales exceeded 8 million copies, generating approximately $125 million in revenue exclusively through Steam, with no announced plans for console or mobile expansion.

Exploiting Schedule 1's continued platform exclusivity, opportunistic developers have begun releasing low-quality imitations on other storefronts, particularly targeting PlayStation users. The most prominent clone, Schedule 1 – Drug Dealer, appeared on Sony's digital store in August 2025 priced at $13. The game utilizes visual elements strikingly similar to the original's distinctive art style, potentially misleading consumers into believing it's an official adaptation. Currently, this imitation has accumulated over 450 user reviews on the PlayStation Store, maintaining an abysmal average rating of just 1.33 stars.

Schedule 1

PlayStation enthusiasts should recognize that Schedule 1 – Drug Dealer isn't the only imitation currently available. Searching for "Schedule 1" on the PlayStation Store reveals several other low-effort clones, including Schedule 1: Dope Empire. While this particular imitation employs a somewhat different visual approach, it remains clearly derivative of the original concept and has received overwhelmingly negative feedback from over 2,000 users. This pattern of replicating successful indie games shows no signs of diminishing, emphasizing the importance of consumer vigilance when purchasing digital games.

Interestingly, Schedule 1 itself faced accusations of being derivative upon its initial release. Numerous critics noted substantial similarities to Drug Dealer Simulator, which launched approximately five years earlier. Regardless of these comparisons, Schedule 1 has achieved significantly greater commercial success and cultural impact than its alleged inspiration, representing those rare instances where a subsequent interpretation surpasses the original. As of September 2025, the game maintains over 200,000 Steam reviews with an exceptional 98% positive rating, while consistently attracting approximately 30,000 daily concurrent players and cultivating a dedicated community.