The breakout indie hit Schedule 1, a gritty survival game that skyrocketed to fame on Steam earlier this year, is officially coming to consoles—but not before imitation titles began surfacing on the PlayStation Store, sparking confusion and frustration among fans.
Developer Ironclad Studios confirmed plans for a polished console port of Schedule 1 in a statement released Monday, citing the game’s “overwhelming community support” after it sold over 500,000 copies on PC. The title, which tasks players with escaping a hostile, procedurally generated city, went viral in March for its tense gameplay and striking minimalist art style. Now, Ironclad aims to bring the experience to PlayStation and Xbox platforms by early 2025.
However, the announcement was overshadowed by the sudden appearance of Schedule One: Survival Edition, a near-identical game listed on the PlayStation Store for $14.99. The imitation, which features nearly identical visuals and gameplay mechanics, has no affiliation with Ironclad Studios. Fans quickly flagged the title, with some accusing its unnamed developers of exploiting PlayStation’s indie submission process.
According to a report by Dexerto, the copycat game’s store description even borrowed phrasing directly from Schedule 1’s Steam page, including references to “dynamic AI enemies” and “procedural urban decay.” Ironclad Studios has since issued a takedown request, calling the imitation “a blatant attempt to mislead players.”
The situation has reignited debates about platform accountability. Industry analyst Tyler Evans, known online as @Tyler_TVGS, tweeted, “This is why curation matters. Indies already struggle for visibility—now they’re fighting knockoffs too. PlayStation needs tighter checks to protect devs AND players.” His post has garnered over 2,000 retweets since Tuesday.
Despite the controversy, Ironclad remains focused on its official port. “We’re working closely with Sony and Microsoft to ensure our console release meets the quality fans expect,” said lead designer Mara Chen. “In the meantime, we urge players to verify they’re purchasing the authentic Schedule 1.”
For now, the imitation remains live on the PlayStation Store, though its reviews have plummeted to a 1.5-star average as fans bombard it with warnings. The incident underscores the challenges indie developers face in a digital marketplace where copycats can emerge overnight—and the vigilance required to combat them.
Schedule 1’s console version is available for wishlisting on PlayStation and Xbox stores. Ironclad Studios promises gameplay enhancements, including adaptive trigger support and 4K optimization. As for the imitators? “We won’t stop until they’re gone,” Chen said. “Our community deserves better.”
