Drug Dealer Simulator developers criticize publisher over Schedule I investigation: “If we had a choice...”
The creators of DDS break their silence on the Schedule I controversy.
The developers of Drug Dealer Simulator, Byterunners, have publicly distanced themselves from their publisher, Movie Games S.A., regarding the ongoing investigation into Schedule I for alleged intellectual property infringement. In a statement shared on social media, Byterunners expressed their strong disagreement with the investigation, making it clear that they were not involved in the decision:
“If we had a choice in this, we would not pursue any legal actions against Schedule I.”
Byterunners sees Schedule I as a fresh take on the genre
While acknowledging that Schedule I shares similarities with Drug Dealer Simulator, Byterunners emphasized that they do not feel harmed by the competing title’s existence:
“In our opinion, Schedule I has its own vibe, freshness, and ideas that derive from the concept of DDS but expand on it and bring them in its own shape and style.”
The developers further supported creative freedom and competition in gaming, arguing that inspiration from existing games is not inherently harmful:
“We think these kinds of inspirations are abundant in game development, create and improve genres, and—even if they sometimes cross a few lines—are, in general, a good thing for the industry.”
Movie Games S.A. continues investigation despite developers’ stance
Despite Byterunners’ opposition, the investigation into Schedule I is moving forward under Movie Games S.A., the game’s publisher. As a publicly traded company, Movie Games S.A. is legally obligated to examine potential copyright infringement, even if its own developers disagree with the decision.
Byterunners’ strong statement clarifies that they do not support the legal dispute against Schedule I and instead embrace competition and creativity in gaming. However, Movie Games S.A. will proceed with the investigation, highlighting the complexity of intellectual property disputes within the industry.
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