Smash-hit drug sim Schedule I plans full Steam Deck support, will use the Steam Deck as the "performance benchmark"

Schedule I is high up on my wishlist to eventually play-through, thankfully being in Early Access I've got plenty of time to get to it and it's only going to get better with full Steam Deck support planned.

What is Schedule I? It's an expansive drug-dealing sim that has seen an explosion in popularity on Steam. Released into Early Access on March 24th, sees hundreds of thousands of players on it each day.

Buried at the bottom of the most recent patch notes the developer said:

I'm also looking into improving optimization. I'd like to get Steam Deck officially supported as soon as possible, so that'll act as my performance benchmark.

This is a great way to do it. The Steam Deck has set hardware, so using it as your device to optimise against will bring benefits for all players.

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Game Highlights:

• Manufacture - Produce a range of drugs to satisfy your customers, each one with it's own unique production process. Discover special recipes to create new drug variants with special properties.
• Distribute - Walk, skate or drive throughout the grungy west-coast city of Hyland Point to get product into the hands of customers. Hire dealers to handle distribution for you.
• Expand - Purchase new properties and hire employees to expand the scope and scale of your operations. Work with suppliers to build a fully automated production and distribution chain.
• Fight - This is a dangerous line of work - you'll have to contend with increasing law enforcement, as well as deadly cartel competitors. Fight with fists, melee weapons or firearms.
• Work Together - A growing empire needs skilled management. Reach new heights in co-op multiplayer.

It's been so popular that the publisher of Drug Dealer Simulator 1 & 2, Movie Games S.A., had to release a statement after various news reports of a lawsuit against Schedule I continued to spread:

Dear Gamers,

We’d like to address your Schedule I / Drug Dealer Simulator publication and share some facts regarding the situation.

1. There is no lawsuit.
2. It is not our intention to prevent TVGS from selling or developing their game.
3. There is an investigation into the nature of similarities between the games since a preliminary legal analysis indicated there might have been an infringement.
4. The analysis and investigation were necessary in the light of repeating opinions that the games are very similar. By not investigating it, Movie Games, being a publicly traded company, could face severe consequences for negligence.
5. The above was communicated only via ESPI, a stock market communication system, where we are obligated to publish such information for full transparency. Not publishing it would also be a case of negligence. From there it was picked up by the media and, in some cases, wrongly reported as a lawsuit.
6. The above is handled only by Movie Games, the publisher, not Byterunners, the developer of Drug Dealer Simulator. The developer is not involved in it whatsoever.

There is no ill will towards TVGS. We even mailed them best wishes shortly before the release, when the game was already huge, but before the investigation was deemed necessary. However, we are obligated to perform this investigation, act accordingly to the scope of the infringement if it is confirmed, and inform the public about it via ESPI.

Best wishes,
Movie Games

As a result of all the reports both Drug Dealer Simulator 1 and 2 went down into Overwhelmingly Negative recent user reviews on Steam.