Overview of Recent Developments
- Movie Games, the publisher of Drug Dealer Simulator, expresses that it holds “no ill will”against TVGS, the developer of Schedule 1, even as it investigates potential copyright issues.
- The company emphasizes that investigating Schedule 1 would be a necessary step to avoid negligence.
- A preliminary analysis indicating significant similarities between both games prompted the ongoing investigation.
In a recent statement to Game Rant, Movie Games reiterated that its investigation into Schedule 1 by TVGS is devoid of personal animosity. This clarification comes in the wake of the Polish publisher’s scrutiny of the game for potential intellectual property infringement.
From 2020 to 2024, Movie Games successfully launched two iterations of Drug Dealer Simulator, both crafted by the developer Byterunners. In contrast, Schedule 1, a separate title centered on the drug trade, debuted on Steam in late March 2025. Shortly after its release, Movie Games announced its decision to investigate the game’s developer, the small Australian studio TVGS, particularly for copyright concerns, a move that ignited backlash among fans.
In light of media reports that may have misconstrued the nature of the investigation, a representative from Movie Games maintained that there is “no ill will”directed at TVGS. The purpose of the inquiry is solely to assess the similarities between Drug Dealer Simulator and Schedule 1. The need for this investigation was highlighted by an initial legal review that suggested notable resemblances between the two games, raising the potential for infringement, according to the spokesperson.
Publisher Asserts the Need for Investigation
The ongoing investigation stems from Movie Games’ obligations as a publicly traded entity. The representative explained that failing to address any potential infringement, regardless of its magnitude, could result in “severe consequences for negligence.”The initiation of the investigation was communicated through the ESPI, the stock market’s communication platform, which led to widespread media coverage, some of which mischaracterized the situation as a lawsuit.
Developer Distanced from Copyright Concerns
In light of the investigation, Movie Games noted an uptick in negative reviews for its Drug Dealer Simulator, with developer Byterunners receiving criticism across social media platforms. The publisher clarified that Byterunners is not associated with the ongoing copyright investigation.
At this time, Movie Games has yet to disclose how long the investigation is expected to last. Once concluded, the findings will be communicated to investors through the ESPI platform, mirroring how the investigation announcement was made. Importantly, Movie Games stated it does not wish to hinder TVGS from continuing the development or distribution of Schedule 1, and has even commended the Australian studio for its successful game launch prior to the initiation of the investigation.