How Much Has Schedule 1 Made?

When gamers ask how much has Schedule 1 made since its explosive early access debut on March 24, 2025, the answer is nothing short of extraordinary. Schedule 1, the indie crime simulation masterpiece developed entirely by solo Australian developer Tyler (TVGS), has generated an estimated $60-125 million in gross revenue within just months of release. This phenomenal financial achievement makes Schedule 1 one of the most successful indie game launches in recent history, proving that innovative gameplay, viral marketing through social media platforms like TikTok and Twitch, and genuine player engagement can create unprecedented monetary success. The game’s remarkable earnings trajectory demonstrates how a single developer with minimal marketing budget can compete directly with AAA studios, selling an estimated 3-8 million copies and establishing Schedule 1 as a defining moment in modern game development economics. Whether you’re curious about the specific revenue milestones, player retention statistics, development costs, or the broader implications for indie gaming profitability, this comprehensive analysis reveals exactly how much Schedule 1 has made and why its financial success represents a paradigm shift in the gaming industry.

Schedule 1: The Game That Rewrote Indie Success Rules

Schedule 1 is an open-world crime simulator that combines business management, tactical strategy, and dark comedy as players build and expand a drug trafficking operation in the fictional city of Hyland Point. Players assume the role of a dealer who grows and manufactures various substances, manages supply chains, hires employees, and navigates police encounters while expanding their criminal enterprise. The game features first-person gameplay with elements reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto, including wanted levels, property acquisition, and business expansion mechanics.

What sets Schedule 1 apart is its surprising “cozy” approach to criminal simulation. Rather than focusing on violence and chaos, the game emphasizes peaceful business building, community relationships, and strategic planning. Players can skateboard around town delivering products, tend to their growing operations, and build relationships with NPCs—creating an unexpectedly relaxing experience despite the illegal subject matter.

The Staggering Numbers: Schedule 1’s Revenue Breakdown

Based on multiple industry analyst reports and tracking services, Schedule 1’s financial performance has been exceptional:

Revenue Source	Copies Sold (Millions)	Revenue (USD Millions)	Time Period
Alinea Analytics	7.7	$118.9	Through April 2025
Game Rant	8.0	$125.0	Through May 2025
VG Insights	5.2	$89.2	April 2025 estimate
Gamalytic	4.6	$80.0	April 2025 estimate
USC Annenberg	3.0+	$60.0+	Within first month

The consensus among industry analysts places Schedule 1’s gross revenue between $94.5 million average estimate, with the game selling approximately 5.9 million copies on average across all tracking services. These figures represent gross revenue before Steam’s 30% platform fee and applicable taxes.

Developer Earnings: From Zero to Multimillionaire

After accounting for Steam’s 30% revenue share and estimated Australian tax obligations, Tyler (the solo developer behind TVGS) likely netted between $31.5-65.6 million from Schedule 1’s success. This represents an average estimated net income of approximately $49.6 million for a single developer who created the game independently.

The financial transformation is particularly remarkable considering:

• Development team: One person (Tyler)
• Marketing budget: Essentially zero—relied on viral social media growth
• Development timeline: Solo project with minimal external funding
• Platform: Steam Early Access exclusive

Peak Performance Metrics and Player Engagement

Schedule 1’s commercial success correlates directly with its exceptional player engagement metrics:

Player Statistics:

• Peak concurrent players: 455,652 (April 6, 2025)
• Launch day peak: 116,000+ concurrent players
• Steam ranking: 29th highest concurrent player count in Steam history
• Review score: 98% positive (Overwhelmingly Positive rating)
• Average playtime: 21 hours per player

The game consistently maintained over 100,000 concurrent players for weeks after launch, placing it among the top 3 most-played games on Steam during its peak period.

Revenue Streams and Monetization Strategy

Schedule 1’s financial success stems from a straightforward premium pricing model:

Primary Revenue Sources:

• Base game sales: $19.99 launch price
• No microtransactions: Clean monetization without pay-to-win elements
• No subscription fees: One-time purchase model
• Promotional pricing: 30% discount during Steam Summer Sale ($13.99)

Unlike many modern games, Schedule 1 avoided controversial monetization practices, focusing instead on delivering complete value through the base purchase12. This approach resonated strongly with players frustrated by aggressive microtransaction models in AAA titles.

Market Impact and Industry Disruption

Schedule 1’s success has profound implications for the gaming industry:

Competitive Achievement:

• Outsold major AAA releases during launch month
• Became Steam’s #1 best-selling game in April 2025
• Surpassed established franchises in concurrent player counts
• Demonstrated indie games can compete directly with major publishers

Industry Disruption:
The game’s success challenged traditional gaming industry assumptions about marketing budgets, team sizes, and development approaches. Major publishers have taken notice of how a solo developer with no marketing budget achieved greater success than multi-million dollar productions.

Challenges and Sustainability

Despite overwhelming initial success, Schedule 1 faces typical early access challenges:

Player Retention Issues:

• Lost approximately 78% of peak playerbase within one month
• Current concurrent players: ~13,000 (down from 455,000+ peak)
• Content limitations in early access affecting long-term engagement

Development Sustainability:
The game remains in early access with full release planned for 2027. Maintaining momentum over the extended development period presents ongoing challenges for sustained revenue growth.

Global Market Performance

Schedule 1’s revenue distribution reflects its strong performance in key markets:

Geographic Breakdown:

• United States: 35% of players
• Germany: 10.6% of players
• United Kingdom: 5% of players
• China: Only 0.6% (due to English-only support)

The game’s success has been particularly notable for achieving massive sales without significant penetration into the Chinese market, traditionally crucial for Steam game success.

The Bottom Line: Schedule 1’s Unprecedented Success

So, how much has Schedule 1 made? The answer is a staggering $60-125 million in gross revenue, with consensus estimates around $94.5 million from approximately 5.9 million copies sold. After platform fees and taxes, solo developer Tyler likely earned between $31.5-65.6 million personally.

This represents one of the most successful indie game launches in history, achieved through:

• Innovative gameplay combining familiar mechanics in fresh ways
• Viral social media marketing requiring zero advertising budget
• Community-focused development responding to player feedback
• Premium pricing without exploitative monetization12

Schedule 1’s financial success story demonstrates that in 2025’s gaming landscape, creativity, authenticity, and player engagement can triumph over massive marketing budgets and corporate development models. For aspiring indie developers, Schedule 1 proves that asking “how much has Schedule 1 made?” isn’t just about the numbers—it’s about understanding how genuine innovation and community connection can create extraordinary financial success in the modern gaming industry.