Schedule 1 Disappears from Australian Steam Store Due to Rating Issue

The hit indie game "Schedule 1" is no longer available for Australian players on Steam, but fans need not worry as this is only a temporary situation.

The game's developer has confirmed that it hasn't been banned but simply needs proper classification to comply with Australian regulations.

Released on March 24, 2025, "Schedule 1" quickly became a gaming sensation. Within just two days of its launch, the game reached an impressive milestone of 130,000 concurrent players on Steam. By April, that number had grown to a peak of 459,000 players, surpassing even established titles like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Payday 2.

The game puts players in the role of a drug dealer trying to build a business empire. You can start as small-time sellers making deliveries on foot and gradually develop your operation by recruiting employees and automating processes. You also need to craft products using different recipes and protect your territory from competitors.

The game's developer, known simply as "Tyler" from studio TVGS, addressed the situation on Twitter. "To anyone in Australia, you might've noticed Schedule 1 is hidden on Steam," Tyler wrote. "Don't worry, the game hasn't been banned, but it turns out all games sold in Australia need to receive a classification/age rating."

Tyler explained that there was a misunderstanding about Australian regulations, as they believed age ratings were only required for console and physical game releases, not PC games. "I'm contacting the ratings agency today and getting this resolved ASAP. Apologies for the inconvenience," the developer added.

This isn't the first time Australia's strict classification system has affected popular games. Titles like Grand Theft Auto San Andreas, Fallout 3, State of Decay, Saints Row, DayZ, Hotline Miami, and Left 4 Dead have all faced challenges from the Australian ratings agency, though most bans were eventually overturned.

Despite this temporary setback, "Schedule 1" continues to thrive. The game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with 98% of its 174,000+ Steam reviews being favorable. It has clearly struck a chord with players looking for an engaging crime-themed open-world experience, especially with the delay of Grand Theft Auto 6 leaving a gap in the market.

TVGS recently released a content update for the game, adding new features like a storage unit property with a loading bay for deliveries and the option to hire an employee. The update also addressed several performance issues to improve gameplay.

While "Schedule 1" is currently in early access, the developer has promised monthly content updates for the next few years. Some planned improvements include replacing employee beds with lockers and adding item slot filters. However, players shouldn't expect a full release for another 2-3 years, as Tyler has indicated that development will continue for quite some time.

With the developer already working with the ratings agency, "Schedule 1" should return to the Australian Steam store once it receives proper classification.