‘There Is No Lawsuit’: Movie Games SA Addresses Schedule I Probe & Drug Dealer Sim Backlash

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Leo Circuit

By TechTalesLeo, Digital Tech Explorer

The gaming community has been abuzz as negative Steam reviews pile up for titles from Movie Games SA. The publisher of Drug Dealer Simulator recently addressed the swirling controversy concerning its investigation into the popular indie game, Schedule I. In a direct communication on the DDS 2 Steam page, Movie Games SA made a clear statement: “There is no lawsuit.” At Digital Tech Explorer, we delve into the details of this unfolding situation.

Background: Investigation and Community Backlash

Drug Dealer Simulator 2 screenshot showing in-game graphics

Movie Games SA confirmed it was navigating a challenging situation, having initiated an investigation into Schedule I for “potential infringement” upon its Drug Dealer Simulator intellectual property (IP). The probe focuses on “elements of the game’s plot, mechanics, as well as [the] UI.” While the company stressed that no legal action had been taken against Schedule I—a point echoed by Schedule I creator Tyler of TVGS—and framed the investigation as a fulfillment of its “legal obligations,” this explanation did little to quell the gaming community’s discontent. A significant backlash ensued, with both Drug Dealer Simulator and its sequel, DDS 2, receiving hundreds of negative Steam reviews. Consequently, the original game’s rating plummeted from “very positive” to “mostly positive.” Many of these reviews were fueled by the misconception that Movie Games SA was actively suing TVGS.

Movie Games SA’s Official Clarification on Steam

In an effort to address the escalating situation, Movie Games SA published an official update on Steam. While largely reiterating previously shared information, the communication placed undeniable emphasis on one critical point. “There is no lawsuit,” the update proclaimed, a message featured prominently in both the post’s title and an accompanying graphic, with the text bolded for maximum impact.

Movie Games SA's Steam update: Regarding Schedule I - There is no lawsuit

The company further elaborated, “It is not our intention to prevent TVGS from selling or developing their game.” The statement continued, “There is an investigation into the nature of similarities between the games since a preliminary legal analysis indicated there might have been an infringement. 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.” Movie Games SA also highlighted that details of the investigation were first disseminated through Poland’s ESPI system—a platform for stock market communications aimed at transparency—and subsequently reported by media outlets, “in some cases wrongly reported as a lawsuit.”

Public Response and Damage Control Efforts

Although Movie Games SA’s Steam update stopped short of explicitly requesting an end to the review bombing, its intent as a damage control measure was clear, carrying an implicit plea for the negative reviews to cease. However, this attempt at clarification seems to have fallen short of its intended goal. While a handful of responses to the update conceded the plausibility of Movie Games SA’s position, particularly regarding the responsibilities of publicly traded entities, the overarching sentiment from the community did not signal a readiness to forgive and forget. The wave of negative feeling largely continued unabated.

User responses to Movie Games SA's 'no lawsuit' update regarding Schedule I on Steam

Analysis of the Controversy and Future Outlook

From an outsider’s perspective, the absolute legal necessity of this investigation remains a complex matter, particularly for those not intimately familiar with international copyright law or the precise details of this case. The timing of Movie Games SA’s actions has also drawn scrutiny. While Steam hosts numerous drug dealer simulation titles, Schedule I had achieved remarkable visibility, climbing near the top of Steam’s most-played chart and even surpassing major titles like Path of Exile 2, Marvel Rivals, and the viral sensation Bongo Cat. This prominence has fueled speculation that Movie Games SA might have initially aimed to capitalize on Schedule I’s burgeoning success, only to later reframe its actions as a matter of regulatory compliance amidst the subsequent public relations storm. For the moment, Movie Games SA’s declaration stands: no lawsuit has been filed. However, public skepticism is likely to persist until the company offers a definitive assurance that legal action will never be pursued.

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