In a curious turn of events, reminiscent of the narratives within their respective titles, a dispute has arisen involving Schedule I and Drug Dealer Simulator. Movie Games SA, the publisher behind Drug Dealer Simulator, has announced an investigation into Schedule I for potential copyright infringement. Despite contrasting visual approaches—Drug Dealer Simulator‘s GTA-esque realism versus Schedule I‘s more stylized, cartoonish look—both games task players with rising from a novice dealer to a drug empire magnate, prompting scrutiny over shared gameplay elements.
Investigation into Alleged Copyright Infringement
News of the investigation surfaced via a report from the Polish site PAP Biznes. This report indicated that Movie Games SA had commissioned a “legal analysis,” which suggested Schedule I might have potentially infringed upon intellectual property rights tied to the Drug Dealer Simulator (DDS) series. The concerns specifically highlight similarities in “elements of the game’s plot, mechanics, as well as [the] UI.” The ongoing legal review seeks to ascertain if these resemblances constitute actionable copyright infringement.
Movie Games’ Official Statement and Position
In an official statement, Michał Puczyński, Movie Games’ head of marketing, shed more light on the situation. “In response to recurring feedback that Schedule I is very similar to DDS, we were obliged to request a legal analysis from an intellectual property specialist. It has indicated that there might have been an infringement by the Schedule I developers in relation to Drug Dealer Simulator.” Puczyński emphasized, “Now we are obliged to follow up further, but we are yet to contact the Schedule I developers. Our goal at this point is discussing the situation with them and we have an open approach.” He clarified that no legal action has been initiated against TVGS, the developer of Schedule I, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise as likely misinterpretations. Puczyński further stated that Movie Games does not aim to prevent TVGS from developing or distributing Schedule I, but added, “we need to consider our legal obligations if law specialists determine that there are grounds to claim infringement.” Describing the matter as “very serious for us,” Puczyński highlighted, “We’re not a big corporation, but a relatively small indie publisher. There are other drug simulators out there with very positive scores and good sales. These are A-OK in regards to DDS according to lawyers. What we know is we have to be very careful in all proceedings.” Intriguingly, he also revealed that Movie Games had reached out to TVGS prior to Schedule I‘s launch to extend good wishes, “but that was before that legal analysis.”
Response from Schedule I Developer
Tyler, representing Schedule I developer TVGS (Tyler’s Video Game Studio), acknowledged receiving an email from Movie Games back in March. He noted this communication offered “positive feedback on the Schedule I demo and wishing me well for the full release.” According to Tyler, there has been no subsequent contact from the publisher since this initial exchange.
Ongoing Investigation and Community Backlash
Currently, Movie Games continues its fact-finding process concerning the potential intellectual property concerns. Despite the publisher’s assurances of a non-aggressive approach towards Schedule I, initial news of the investigation has ignited a considerable and passionate community backlash. Both Drug Dealer Simulator titles have experienced a surge of negative reviews on platforms such as Steam. A significant portion of this feedback accuses Movie Games of suing TVGS—a claim Movie Games refutes—and rallies support for Schedule I.
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Games at the Center of the Dispute
The titles central to this investigation include: