Schedule 1 Game: Comprehensive Guide
Schedule 1 Game: Comprehensive Guide
Table of Contents
- Game Overview
- World and Setting
- Core Gameplay Mechanics
- Drug Types and Effects
- Character Progression
- Properties and Businesses
- Key Characters and NPCs
- Multiplayer Features
- Tips and Strategies
- Future Updates and Roadmap
- Player Reviews and Feedback
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Sources
Game Overview
Schedule 1 is a simulation game released in Early Access on March 25, 2025, on Steam. Developed by solo creator TVGS, the game allows players to build and manage a drug empire in the fictional city of Hyland Point. The game combines elements of strategy, resource management, and action as players progress from small-time dealers to powerful kingpins.
The game is priced at $20 in Early Access, with the price expected to increase by 25%-50% after the full release. The developer plans to keep the game in Early Access for approximately 2 years with monthly updates based on community feedback.
Schedule 1 has been praised for its relaxed vibe and not-too-serious approach to the subject matter, with many players comparing it favorably to other drug simulation games like Drug Dealer Simulator (DDS).
World and Setting
Hyland Point
The game takes place in the fictional city of Hyland Point, a sleepy town with various districts and locations to explore:
Key Districts:
- Downtown: The central business district with shops, businesses, and potential customers
- Northtown: A residential area with various customers and opportunities
- Uptown: A more affluent area with higher-end clientele
- Docks: An industrial area with warehouses and specific characters
Key Locations
Hyland Point features numerous important locations that players can visit and interact with:
- Motel: Your starting accommodation where you begin your journey
- Hardware Store (Dan's Hardware): Essential for purchasing supplies for growing operations
- Laundromat: A business that can be purchased for money laundering
- Taco Ticklers: A fast-food restaurant that can be purchased for money laundering
- Post Office: Another money laundering business option
- Car Wash: A business for money laundering with higher capacity
- Ray's Realty: Where players can purchase properties
- Chinese Restaurant/Sweatshop: A property that can be purchased
- Bungalow: A residential property option
- Docks Warehouse: A large property for expanding operations
- Barn: A rural property option
- Western Gas Mart: A convenience store
- Skatepark: A recreational area in the town
- Bridge: A landmark that connects different parts of town
- Basketball Court: A recreational area
- Police Checkpoint: Areas where police may stop and search players
Core Gameplay Mechanics
Growing and Harvesting
One of the primary mechanics in Schedule 1 is growing and harvesting marijuana plants:
-
Setup Process:
- Purchase supplies from the hardware store (tent, soil, watering can)
- Obtain seeds from suppliers
- Set up growing operation in a property
-
Growth Cycle:
- Plant seeds in soil
- Water plants regularly to prevent dehydration
- Monitor growth progress
- Harvest plants when mature
-
Processing:
- Trim harvested plants using clippers
- Package products in jars or baggies
- Label and prepare for distribution
The game emphasizes time management as all these activities take time to complete, requiring players to balance various aspects of their operation.
Distribution System
After producing drugs, players need to distribute them to customers:
-
Direct Sales:
- Meet customers in person
- Negotiate prices based on quality and demand
- Build reputation with repeat customers
-
Dealer Network:
- Recruit dealers like Benji to handle sales
- Assign customers to dealers (up to 8 per dealer)
- Dealers take a percentage cut (typically 20%)
- Expand network as you unlock more areas
-
Customer Acquisition:
- Offer free samples to potential customers
- Build reputation in different districts
- Respond to customer preferences for specific drug effects
Police Evasion
As players engage in illegal activities, they must avoid law enforcement:
-
Police Searches:
- Police may stop and search players randomly
- Officers check inventory slots with a flashlight
- Players can hide one item at a time by holding it while the officer searches other slots
-
Carrying Strategy:
- Only carry what you need when moving around town
- Avoid carrying large amounts of product or cash
- Use properties as safe storage locations
-
Future Features (planned):
- Bribery options for police
- More complex police interactions
Money Laundering
To convert illegal cash into usable money, players need to launder it through legitimate businesses:
-
Laundromat ($10,000):
- Daily laundering limit: $2,000
- Entry-level money laundering business
-
Post Office ($16,000):
- Daily laundering limit: $4,000
- Mid-tier money laundering option
-
Car Wash ($20,000):
- Daily laundering limit: $6,000
- Higher capacity laundering business
-
Taco Ticklers ($50,000):
- Daily laundering limit: $8,000
- Top-tier money laundering business
Each business has a different daily limit for laundering money, with more expensive businesses offering higher capacity.
Recycling Mechanic
The game includes an environmental aspect through its recycling system:
-
Trash Management:
- Byproducts from drug production are categorized as trash
- Purchase trash bags to collect waste
-
Recycling Process:
- Locate trash-to-cash collectors
- Deposit trash for small profits
- Helps keep properties clean while earning extra money
Drug Types and Effects
Schedule 1 features various drug types, each with unique effects and customer preferences:
Marijuana Strains
The game starts with basic marijuana growing, with different strains offering various effects:
- OG Kush: A starter strain available early in the game
- Additional strains: Unlocked as you progress and meet new suppliers
Drug Effects
Drugs in the game can have various effects that appeal to different customers:
- Calming: Relaxing effects preferred by some customers
- Energizing: Stimulating effects sought by active customers
- Euphoric: Mood-enhancing effects
- Thought-Provoking: Cerebral effects
- Refreshing: Revitalizing effects
- Athletic: Performance-enhancing effects
- Balding: An unusual side effect some customers seek
- Calorie-Dense: Nutritional effects
- Schizophrenic: Mind-altering effects
- Lethal: Extremely potent effects
- Seizure-Inducing: Neurological effects
- Disorienting: Perception-altering effects
- Spicy: Sensory effects
- Toxic: Harmful effects sought by some customers
- Glowing: Visual effects
- Anti-Gravity: Physics-defying effects
- Laxative: Digestive effects
- Paranoia: Psychological effects
Future Drug Types
The developer has plans to add more drug types in future updates:
- Shrooms: Psychedelic mushrooms
- MDMA: Synthetic drug with unique effects
- Additional substances: More options to diversify product offerings
Character Progression
Schedule 1 features a progression system that allows players to build their drug empire over time:
-
Starting Out:
- Begin with basic growing operations in a motel room
- Limited resources and customer base
-
Expanding Operations:
- Reinvest profits into better equipment and properties
- Unlock new areas and customers
- Recruit dealers to handle distribution
-
Building an Empire:
- Purchase multiple properties for different operations
- Establish money laundering businesses
- Develop a network of dealers and suppliers
-
Automation:
- Hire employees to handle various aspects of the business
- Set up automated production and distribution systems
- Focus on strategic decisions rather than manual labor
Properties and Businesses
Players can purchase various properties to expand their operations:
Residential Properties
- Motel Room: Starting location where players begin their journey
- Bungalow: A residential property with more space for operations
- Chinese Restaurant/Sweatshop: A property with multiple rooms for different activities
Production Properties
- Docks Warehouse: Large space ideal for extensive growing operations
- Barn: Rural property with ample space for production
- RV: Mobile property (starting location in some game modes)
Money Laundering Businesses
- Laundromat: Entry-level money laundering business
- Post Office: Mid-tier money laundering option
- Car Wash: Higher capacity laundering business
- Taco Ticklers: Top-tier money laundering business
Key Characters and NPCs
Schedule 1 features various characters that players can interact with:
Dealers
- Benji: First dealer players can recruit, located in the Motel (Room 2)
- Molly: Another dealer that can be recruited later in the game
Customers
The game features numerous customers across different districts, each with their own preferences:
Northtown Customers
- Mrs. Ming: Prefers Gingeritis, Electrifying, and Shrinking effects
- Beth Penn: Prefers Schizophrenic, Lethal, and Seizure-Inducing effects
- Ludwig Meyer: Prefers Energizing, Euphoric, and Refreshing effects
- Geraldine Poon: Prefers Long Faced, Sedating, and Balding effects
- Ray Hoffman: No specific preference
Uptown Customers
- Lily Turner: No specific preference
- Fiona Hancock: Prefers Lethal, Thought Provoking, and Tropic Thunder effects
- Jen Heard: Prefers Disorienting, Sneaky, and Energizing effects
- Walter Cussler: Prefers Schizophrenic, Balding, and Calming effects
- Herbert Bleuball: Prefers Foggy, Slippery, and Explosive effects
- Michael Boog: Prefers Jennerising, Schizophrenic, and Calming effects
- Tobas Wentworth: Prefers Disorienting, Spicy, and Lethal effects
- Pearl Moore: Prefers Schizophrenic, Gingeritis, and Explosive effects
- Jeff Gilmore: Prefers Sedating, Long Faced, and Laxative effects
Downtown Customers
- Elizabeth Homley: Prefers Tropic Thunder, Sedating, and Toxic effects
- Lucy Pennington: Prefers Glowing-Defense, Euphoric, and Glowing effects
- Jennifer Rivera: Prefers Toxic, Slippery, and Shrinking effects
- Louis Fourier: Prefers Shrinking, Seizure-Induce, and Paranoia effects
- Kevin Oakley: No specific preference
- Eugene Buckley: Prefers Calming, Schizophrenic, and Toxic effects
- Philip Wentworth: Prefers Foggy, Shrinking, and Refreshing effects
- Randy Caulfield: No specific preference
- Javier Perez: No specific preference
Docks Customers
- Genghis Barn: Prefers Gingeritis, Athletic, and Electrifying effects
- Anna Chesterfield: Prefers Refreshing, Euphoric, and Thought-Provoking effects
- Lisa Gardener: Prefers Laxative, Anti-Gravity effects
Other Characters
- Uncle Nelson: Helps players get started in the business
- Chloe Bowers: Provides information about Benji and helps recruit him
- Jerry Montero: A friend who can be found around town
- Cranky Frank: Eccentric character who walks around town with a saucepan on his head
Multiplayer Features
Schedule 1 offers a cooperative multiplayer mode that allows players to team up with friends:
-
4-Player Co-op: Play with up to three friends (four players total) in the same game world
-
Invitation System:
- Click the '+' icon in the top-right corner of the screen
- Select friends to invite by clicking on their Steam ID
- Friends' profile pictures appear next to yours when they join
- Start a new game with all party members
-
Shared Accommodations: All players share a room in the Hyland Motel at the beginning of the game
-
Role Division: Players can divide tasks for efficiency:
- One player focuses on growing
- Another handles sales and distribution
- Others manage properties or deal with suppliers
-
Limitations:
- Maximum of three friends can be invited (four players total)
- Cannot invite players once a solo adventure has started
- All players must be using the same version (free vs. paid)
Tips and Strategies
Beginner Tips
-
Keep Your Pockets Clean: Only carry what you need when moving around town to avoid police trouble
-
Start Small: Focus on one product initially before expanding your operation
-
Invest in Automation: Purchase grow tents and packaging stations to increase efficiency
-
Recruit Dealers Early: Dealers like Benji can help expand your distribution network
- Find Benji in Room 2 of the Motel
- Pay the $500 signing bonus
- Assign at least three clients (maximum of 8) to make it worthwhile
-
Use Money Laundering: Invest in legitimate businesses to clean your illegal cash
- Start with the Laundromat for $10,000
- Upgrade to better laundering businesses as your cash flow increases
-
Time Management: Balance your activities efficiently as everything takes time in the game
- Schedule orders with plenty of time between them
- Consider time needed for preparation and delivery
-
Explore the Town: Discover all locations in Hyland Point to find new opportunities and customers
-
Only Accept Orders You Can Fulfill: The game penalizes you for failing to deliver orders on time
-
Marketing Is Important: Offer free samples to potential customers to build your client base
Advanced Strategies
-
Product Diversification: Create various strains and products to appeal to different customer preferences
-
Property Investment: Purchase strategic properties to expand your operation and increase profits
-
Employee Management: Hire and assign specialized workers to automate different aspects of your business
-
Risk Assessment: Calculate the risk-reward ratio of carrying large amounts of product versus making multiple smaller trips
Future Updates and Roadmap
The developer has shared plans for monthly updates over the next few years. Upcoming features include:
-
New Drugs: Additional substances like Shrooms and MDMA with new suppliers and crafting mechanics
-
Map Expansions: New areas in the southwest and northeast parts of Hyland Point with additional locations and points of interest
-
Traveling Customers: Special customer groups like biker gangs, hippies, and other gangsters who come and go with specific product preferences
-
Cartels: Rival organizations that may attempt to sabotage your business
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Weather System: Different weather conditions that affect gameplay and NPC behavior
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Custom Packaging: Create branded packaging and labels for your products
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Fishing Minigame: Catch fish to sell to Randy, with possibilities to find rare items
-
Police Interactions: More complex interactions with law enforcement, including bribery options
-
Property Customization: Renovate and customize your properties
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Logistics System: Hire drivers and logistics workers to improve distribution
-
Raids: Defend your properties from raids by rivals or law enforcement
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Sewer Networks: Establish underground transportation and hiding systems
Player Reviews and Feedback
Schedule 1 has received generally positive reviews from players, with particular praise for:
-
Immersive Gameplay: Players enjoy the detailed simulation aspects and freedom to build their empire
-
Unique Atmosphere: The game's relaxed vibe and not-too-serious approach to the subject matter is appreciated
- "Schedule 1 has immaculate vibes. Hyland Point is a sleepy town where the game takes place, which makes sense considering how much product I'm shifting every day with the help of my dealers, Benji and Molly." - TheGamer
-
Solo Developer Achievement: Many players are impressed that the game was created by a single developer
- "1 guy made this and I'll be quite real and honest, that does gain brownie points from me, especially when it's a good game." - Steam Community discussion
-
Multiplayer Experience: The co-op mode is highly praised for adding a social dimension to the gameplay
Some players have compared it to other drug simulation games like Drug Dealer Simulator (DDS), with many feeling that Schedule 1 offers a more enjoyable gameplay loop and less serious tone:
- "Schedule 1 offers a much more fun/satisfying gameplay loop than that of DDS. All while having an artstyle and world that doesn't take itself too seriously." - Steam Community discussion
- "DDS was the first real drug sim (as far as I'm aware), so I think DDS walked so Schedule 1 could run." - Steam Community discussion
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
-
Q: How much does Schedule 1 cost?
A: $20 during Early Access, with the price expected to increase by 25%-50% after full release. -
Q: How long will the game be in Early Access?
A: Approximately 2 years, with monthly updates planned. -
Q: Can I play Schedule 1 with friends?
A: Yes, the game supports up to 4-player cooperative multiplayer. -
Q: Is there a free version available?
A: Yes, there's a free demo called "Schedule 1 Free Sample" that allows you to try the basic gameplay.
Gameplay Questions
-
Q: How do I avoid getting caught by the police?
A: Keep your pockets clean, hide items during searches, and avoid carrying large amounts of product at once. -
Q: What's the best way to make money early in the game?
A: Focus on growing and selling a single product efficiently, then reinvest profits into automation. -
Q: How do I recruit dealers?
A: Complete the early game missions to unlock dealers like Benji who can help distribute your products. -
Q: What properties should I buy first?
A: The Laundromat is a good first investment for money laundering, followed by grow houses to expand production. -
Q: How do I fix glitched dealer interactions?
A: Restart the game, clear your cache, restart Steam, and validate the game files.
Sources
- Schedule I on Steam
- Schedule I Wiki: Gameplay and Game Mechanics
- Schedule 1: What Will Be In The Next Updates?
- Schedule 1: Multiplayer Guide
- 7 Beginner Tips For Schedule I
- Walkthrough Guide: How to Pass Schedule 1
- Schedule 1: 8 Beginner Tips
- Schedule 1 - Is It Worth The Hype? Review
- Schedule 1 compared to DDS? - Steam Community
- Schedule 1: How To Launder Money
- Full map in Schedule 1 with all key locations
- Schedule 1 Is The Breaking Bad Game Of My Dreams
- My review... :: Schedule I General Discussion - Steam Community
- The Walkthrough Guide of Schedule 1 for Beginners