New rival, new rules: Schedule 1's Cartel Update unveiled

Schedule 1, the open-world drug empire simulator from TVGS, has received its most expansive update yet with version 0.4.0, dubbed the Cartel Update. This major content patch introduces a dynamic rival faction, the Benzies family, alongside a suite of new features and gameplay enhancements that deepen the strategic and immersive elements of the game. The update significantly enriches the player experience, offering fresh challenges and creative opportunities within the game's gritty, open-world environment.

Cartel Update highlights

The centerpiece of the Cartel Update is the introduction of the Benzies family, a formidable rival cartel that adds a new layer of competition. Players must now contend with this powerful faction, navigating their influence through strategic gameplay. To counter the cartel's presence, the update introduces a novel graffiti system, allowing players to spray tags across the map to reduce enemy influence and earn XP. This system is supported by a new spray paint item, available at Gas Mart, with a limited paint capacity to ensure smooth multiplayer performance. A graffiti cleaner item also allows players to remove tags, adding a tactical dimension to territorial control.

Beyond the cartel rivalry, the update expands the game's world with new locations, including a third loading bay at Hyland Manor and additional graffiti spots scattered across the map. Map labels for Stash & Dash and Hyland Range improve navigation, enhancing the open-world experience. Gameplay mechanics have also been refined, with incremental reload interruptions for the revolver and shotgun via left mouse button clicks, offering more fluid combat interactions. The update tweaks cartel activity cooldowns and disables passive cartel influence gain, encouraging active player engagement.

Technical improvements include optimized save files, with JSON pretty-print disabled to reduce file size and boost save/load performance. Weapon resell values have been adjusted with a lower multiplier, impacting the in-game economy and strategic decision-making. The Cartel Update, available on the Steam beta branch, marks a significant evolution for Schedule 1, blending new content with refined mechanics to deliver a richer, more competitive experience for players building their criminal empires. Use our price comparison tool to find the best prices for Schedule 1.