Thanks to hindsight, we see that Schedule 1 is an intriguing title for the drug-dealing simulation that has dominated the Steam charts recently. The name is distinct and cleverly hints at its content without resorting to the overused suffix ‘Simulator’. However, several months ago, when the game was just gaining traction, its creator voiced concerns that the title might limit its success.

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I think it’s a pretty poor name.

— Tyler from TVGS in a post on Reddit.
Translation: I believe the name isn’t very effective.

In a December 2024 Reddit thread, Tyler questioned whether the name ‘Schedule I’ was undermining his game. He expressed worries over its potential obscurity, noting that many similar titles prominently feature words like ‘drug’ or ’narco’. He was considering a name change but felt the sooner he decided, the better.

It’s understandable why Tyler might worry. As various users highlighted, without prior knowledge of American classifications for controlled substances, the title itself can be confusing. Furthermore, it poses significant challenges for search engine optimization (SEO).

Some respondents reassured him that the government association might not impede the game’s reception, emphasizing how it ranks highly in searches related to its name.

As discussions unfolded, the opinions varied—while some noted that the niche nature of ‘Schedule I’ might not resonate universally, Tyler remained hopeful about the name’s eventual acceptance, especially once the game gains popularity.

Ultimately, after considering the feedback, Tyler decided to keep the title unchanged although he contemplated adding a tagline in the future. As it stands, the name Schedule 1 has indeed turned out to be successful, solidifying its presence amidst important government agencies’ websites.