This Indie Simulator Unexpectedly Became 2025's Biggest Release Yet

2025 has been a bit of a turbulent year when it comes to videogame releases, seeing way too many Mixed launches for the comfort of many gamers around the world. From must-haves like Monster Hunter Wilds to new innovations of old franchise formulas like Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories and the Envisioned Land were simultaneously beloved releases and also launching to mixed criticism.

Where all-around great releases have been few and far between, it is a shock that surprise indie release Schedule I became one of the most-played games on Steam upon launch, seeing growing all-time peak concurrent players daily. Beginning from its release on the 25th of March, the players ballooned into massive triple-digit numbers that secured it a 29th spot on Steam's most-played games ever, with its latest concurrent peak being just on the first Sunday after its release on the 30th of March.

What seemed to be a random indie simulation title (releasing in Early Access, no less), grew to become a highly praised launch in just a few short days, acquiring the prestigious Overwhelmingly Positive title with fans loving their time and calling it "highly addicting". Now having seen over 400,000 concurrent players and owner estimations nearly reaching the million units, Schedule I is here to stay, claiming its spot as a top 2025 launch.

This is against other behemoths launching in the same week, as it competes against inZOI (which it beat in concurrent players), soulslike darling The First Berserker: Khazan (which it beat in sales), newcomer AI LIMIT, and even things like Game of Thrones: Kingsroad and Rebellion's Atomfall. What was already a packed release for all sorts of things AA and AAA, Schedule I somehow managed to take the crown for the most-played game of the week, and it wasn't even close.

This success could be possibly attributed — in small part — to a Grummz-led post on X after calling out Ubisoft's Assassin's Creed Shadows and their partnership with Hasan. The ex-Blizzard employee got ratioed by the account holder of the Assassin's Creed social media, and Grummz used Schedule I to highlight its concurrent player count at the time in contrast to Ubisoft's latest Feudal Japan release.

That's not to say that the title owes its success to anti-wokeism, nor is it associated with Grummz at all. By the time it was caught in a post war between the two, Schedule I already had an impressive number of concurrent players — enough to beat Assassin's Creed Shadows without the boost — but it might definitely have caught the eye of users, both anti-wokers and DEI enjoyers, as a post surfaced on the Steam discussions asking whether Mark Kern had any association to the title at all.

So, what exactly is Schedule I? Released in Early Access, this title developed by TVGS (a one-person team) has you taking on the role of a small-time dope pusher who will slowly grow to full-on kingpin. Live your very own Breaking Bad experience in the drug-dealing simulator with wacky humour that's had Steam reviewers mimicking its off-the-rails insanity.

The open-world drug-dealing simulator is also available in online co-op, which has led to many players joining in with their friends to start their drug empires, lacing weed with other drugs to become the ultimate kingpin. Those who play the demo — cleverly named Free Sample — have been enamoured by the experience and enthused to play more.

You can start your drug empire in Schedule I via Steam for just £16.75.