New Kingpins in Town: “Schedule 1” Launches Rival Cartel Update for August 2025

The indie hit Schedule 1, a drug dealing and empire-building simulator, has officially launched its highly anticipated major update for August 2025. Titled the “Rival Cartel” patch, this new version introduces a significant new faction, a host of gameplay improvements, and much-needed quality-of-life features. After a slight delay, the update has been well-received by the game’s dedicated fanbase, who have been eagerly awaiting the introduction of more complex challenges beyond dealing with law enforcement. This update marks a pivotal moment in the game’s early access development, as it addresses one of the community’s biggest critiques: the lack of a real opposing force in the criminal underworld.

Developed by solo creator Tyler (TVGS), Schedule 1 has already achieved a runaway success since its Early Access launch in March 2025. The game’s premise of building a drug empire from the ground up, managing production, distribution, and facing off against both police and competitors, has captivated a global audience. The new Rival Cartel update, version 0.4.0, promises to deepen the game’s core loop, making the grind to kingpin status a much more dangerous and dynamic experience. The delay in the update was attributed to the creator underestimating the time required to implement the new features, a common challenge for solo developers, but the final product appears to have been worth the wait.

The Benzies Family: A New Rival Cartel

The centerpiece of the August 2025 update is the introduction of the Benzies Family, a powerful new rival cartel. This organized crime syndicate operates out of Hylan Point, a new area that players will have to contend with. The Benzies Family is not just a passive threat; their interactions with the player are dynamic and unpredictable, adding a new layer of strategy and risk to every deal. These interactions, based on official patch notes on Steam, include:

• Ambushes: Players can be ambushed by cartel members while conducting business, turning a simple deal into a dangerous gunfight.
• Cartel-Customer Negotiations: The Benzies Family will now actively try to poach your customers, forcing you to compete for business.
• Cartel-Player Deals: During truces, players can negotiate deals with the cartel, offering a temporary reprieve from conflict at a price.
• Dead Drop Thefts: Your carefully planned dead drops can be stolen by cartel members, a frustrating but realistic addition to the gameplay loop.
• Dealer Robberies: Your hired dealers are no longer safe, as they can be robbed by the rival cartel, costing you valuable product and cash.

This new rival faction solves one of the game’s biggest problems, as noted by gaming publications like PC Gamer: the lack of “friction” for a player who has built up their operation. Before this update, the only real threat was law enforcement, and with the right strategy, players could become all-powerful with no real opposition. The Benzies Family changes that, forcing players to constantly adapt and defend their turf against a real and intelligent opposing force. After dealing with the Benzies, players can unlock a new purchasable property, Hyland Manor, adding another long-term goal to the game’s progression system.

New Features and Gameplay Enhancements

In addition to the main cartel storyline, the August 2025 update introduces several other key features and improvements that enhance the gameplay experience. These additions are a direct result of the developer’s ongoing communication with the community and a commitment to a transparent early access development process.

• Graffiti System: Players can now spray graffiti on various surfaces to reduce the influence of the rival cartel and gain experience points. This adds a new, active way to interact with the world and offers a non-violent method of fighting for turf. Spray paint and a graffiti cleaner can be purchased at the Gas Mart.
• New Vehicle: A new ride called the “Hotbox” is now available for purchase, offering a fresh way to get around the sprawling city of Hyland Point.
• New Weapon: The arsenal has been expanded with the addition of a pump shotgun and shotgun shells, giving players a new option for self-defense.
• Gameplay Improvements: The developer has made several crucial tweaks to the core gameplay. Players can now pickpocket cops and knocked-out NPCs, adding another layer of risk and reward. Additionally, a new auto-save feature has been implemented to protect player progress, a huge relief for those who have experienced game crashes and save file corruption.
• Consequence for Actions: The game now features a new consequence system. If a player attacks a customer, that customer will not place new orders for 72 hours, forcing players to think twice before resorting to violence.

The Rival Cartel update is a significant step forward for Schedule 1. It not only provides a new and exciting challenge but also shows that the solo developer is listening to feedback and is committed to building a complex and evolving game world. The addition of the Benzies Family gives the game the kind of dynamic, unpredictable opposition it needed to truly live up to its potential as an empire-building simulator. As the game continues to grow, fans can look forward to further improvements, new drugs, and a constantly expanding map, all of which will build on the solid foundation that this update has established.