In a notable example of life reflecting art, Schedule I and Drug Dealer Simulator are currently engaged in a dispute over possible copyright infringement. The publisher of Drug Dealer Simulator, Movie Games SA, has initiated an investigation concerning allegations that Schedule I could be infringing on their intellectual property.

The inquiry was first reported by the Polish outlet PAP Biznes. Sources indicated that Movie Games has received a “legal analysis” suggesting that Schedule I may have violated their IP with regards to elements such as game mechanics and user interface.

While the visual aesthetics of both games diverge significantly—Drug Dealer Simulator leans towards a gritty, GTA-style realism whereas Schedule I adopts a more cartoonish, Rick and Morty-inspired aesthetic—they share a common narrative focus on the journey from a minor drug dealer to a powerful kingpin. This thematic overlap raises concerns about gameplay similarities.

“Due to recurrent perspectives that Schedule I bears strong resemblances to Drug Dealer Simulator, we felt compelled to seek an analysis from an intellectual property expert,” said Michał Puczyński, the Head of Marketing at Movie Games. “The analysis points to potential infringement on the part of Schedule I’s development team.”

Puczyński confirmed that no legal proceedings against TVGS, the developers of Schedule I, have been enacted thus far. He added that the intention is to engage in dialogue with the developers regarding these concerns, and that they are not looking to impede Schedule I’s sales.

The hostilities sparked by the investigation have led to a wave of negative reviews aimed at Drug Dealer Simulator, with numerous comments misinterpreting the situation as a lawsuit against Schedule I. Movie Games appears intent on clarifying their stance, asserting that they are not actively pursuing harsh legal action against the latter.