Following the success of Schedule 1 on Steam, it was inevitable that copycats would start to appear on other platforms. Now, hot on the heels of “Schedule 1 Syndicate,” a new imitator has been ‘announced’ on PlayStation.
In what came as a surprise to virtually everyone, Schedule 1 has become one of 2025’s hottest games. The PC-exclusive puts you in control of a fledgling kingpin, who’s looking to build their empire from a motel room into a huge operation with a network of dealers and customers.
Ever since it arrived at the end of March, players on other platforms have been desperate for it to release on console. But, so far at least, the solo dev has focused on updating and improving the PC version only.
However, copycats have begun popping up on different platforms, beginning with Schedule 1 Syndicate, and now another game that looks eerily similar has appeared.
Schedule 1 copycat “Dope Empire” announced on PlayStation Store
When you head onto the PlayStation Store, a new listing can be seen under “trending games” for Schedule 1: Dope Empire. It’s currently not available to buy or pre-order, but it does have a release window of “Q2 2025,” and it can be added to your wishlist.
At first glance, you’d be forgiven for thinking this is a console port with a new name, but once you dig further, it soon becomes clear that’s not related to the original in any way.
The description does sound very similar, as the game lets you “rise from street level nobody to criminal kingpin,” as well as “craft and upgrade a wide variety of drugs” and “recruit dealers, chemists, and enforcers to keep the business running.”
It’s even set in Hyland Point, the same city that you can freely explore in the original, and comes with many screenshots that show players cooking products and overseeing criminal operations.
However, anyone who has played Schedule 1 will notice that the art style is drastically different, and the characters don’t have the signature bulging eyes.
On top of all that, it’s made by Violarte sp. zo.o, a company that doesn’t appear to be associated with developer TVGS at all.
It’s unlikely that this knockoff version will actually ever make it to market, as the other copycat game, Schedule 1 Syndicate, has mysteriously vanished from the store. However, even if it does eventually release, fans should know that it’s certainly not the same Schedule 1 that has been blowing up on PC.
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