Movie Games has taken action. The company launched an investigation into TVGS — developers of the breakout hit Schedule I. The reason is simple: too many similarities with Drug Dealer Simulator, the cult title created by Movie Games itself. The publisher made an official statement on April 8, and since then, the topic has spread rapidly across gaming forums and social media.

At the center of the controversy isn’t just the general vibe — it’s specific elements. The interface, mechanics, and presentation all appear suspiciously familiar. No one has directly used the word “plagiarism” yet, but the implications are clear. Movie Games emphasizes that its claims apply solely to Schedule I — no other drug-themed games are under scrutiny, even though the genre is crowded.

Schedule I didn’t just go viral — it reached audiences who usually avoid simulation games entirely. It lets players build a full drug empire, manage risks, oversee deliveries, and expand operations. It’s not just a clicker — it’s practically a street-survival strategy game.

The game gained particular traction in Europe and parts of Asia, including India. In fact, in the world’s most populous country, Schedule I briefly overtook popular online casinos like Melbet, 1xBet, and 1win in terms of user interest. This is notable considering how dominant the iGaming industry has become in recent years. The reason is accessibility — players can enjoy games from home using just a phone or PC. Companies strive to make their platforms as user-friendly as possible. For example, to create an account with 1xBet, it’s enough to register here in just a few minutes. Thanks to this simplicity, combined with game variety and bonuses, iGaming has become a phenomenon. Competing with its popularity requires something truly creative.

TVGS presented its project as something new — legal success, near-hardcore economics, and realistic scenarios. Visually, it’s dark and stylish. Players were drawn to the balance of control and risk. Media outlets praised the game design, and streamers gave it viral momentum.

But with that attention came comparisons. Schedule I was placed side by side with Drug Dealer Simulator. Soon, screenshots, breakdowns, and video analyses began appearing, showing scenes from both games that looked eerily similar. That’s what drew scrutiny — not because the game was bad, but because it felt too familiar.

Interestingly, the first alarms weren’t raised by lawyers, but by players. Reddit and Discord threads emerged dissecting Schedule I frame by frame. Users compared everything — maps, upgrade systems, warehouse UI, even transaction animations. Some scenes were obviously alike, others only slightly — but together, they sparked major discussion.

Movie Games didn’t dive into details. Their statement didn’t specify which exact elements they found problematic. But they clearly stated the investigation targets Schedule I alone. Other genre titles, even those with visual similarities, aren’t of concern. That’s an important distinction — it signals the issue isn’t competition, but defining acceptable boundaries.

Legally, it’s a tough case. Games in the same genre often echo one another. Drawing the line between inspiration and imitation is tricky. But if Movie Games finds identical code or animation assets, it could set a precedent for the industry.

The internet is split. Some defend TVGS, saying being inspired by a genre leader is normal. Others cry theft and demand penalties. And in between is a large group simply watching — waiting for facts amid the noise, memes, and rumors.

Fans of Drug Dealer Simulator say they’ve seen plenty of clones — but Schedule I is the first to outshine the original in popularity. That stings. Supporters of TVGS argue that similar mechanics aren’t theft — they’re just part of the industry standard. Who’s right? That won’t be decided on Reddit. It’ll be up to the lawyers.