If you’ve spent any time on the weirder side of Steam lately, you’ve probably seen the name Peter File popping up. It sounds like a regular guy, right? Maybe a boring accountant or a local librarian. But if you say it out loud—especially with a British accent—the joke clicks.
It's a pun. A dark, groan-worthy, and controversial pun that has found a second life in the indie hit Schedule 1.
Developed by TVGS (Tyler), Schedule 1 is a drug-empire simulator that doesn't just push the envelope; it basically shreds it. It’s gritty, it’s low-poly, and it’s unapologetically offensive. At the center of one of its most talked-about NPC encounters is a character named Peter File.
Who Exactly is Peter File in Schedule 1?
In the game, Peter File Schedule 1 refers to a specific NPC you can track, interact with, and—in true chaotic gaming fashion—absolutely terrorize. He’s not a hero. He’s barely a person. He’s a walking reference to a legendary bit of British comedy history.
Most people recognize the name from The IT Crowd. In the episode "The Dinner Party," Jen’s boyfriend is named Peter File. The joke peaks at the airport when his name is called over the intercom: "P. File!" "Peter File!" It sounds exactly like "paedophile." The crowd stares. Jen flees. It’s a classic "cringe" comedy moment.
By putting Peter File into a game where you’re already breaking every law in the book, the developer is leaning hard into that edgy, 2000s-era humor.
Some players spend their entire in-game day following him. I’ve seen streamers wait outside his motel at 9:15 a.m. just to hit him with a baseball bat. It’s a weird, collective ritual for the community. You find him at the gas mart. You see him sipping a soda at the docks. He’s the punching bag of the Schedule 1 universe.
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Why Everyone is Talking About This Game
Schedule 1 isn't just about a name joke. It’s a deep, surprisingly complex business sim. You’re growing weed, mixing chemicals, and trying to turn a one-man hustle into a full-blown cartel.
But it’s the "mixers" that make it wild. You can go to a gas station, buy some batteries or chili peppers, and throw them into your product.
- Add chili? Your customers' heads literally catch fire.
- Add batteries? Their eyes start glowing like neon signs.
Then there are the "special" strains. There’s one called Tropic Thunder—a reference to the Robert Downey Jr. movie—that actually changes the NPC’s skin color. It’s sparked a lot of debate. Some call it "edgy satire," while others find it genuinely offensive.
Then there’s the "Indian Giver" achievement. That one caused a massive stir on social media. Indigenous streaming groups and players on Reddit called it out for being a harmful stereotype. The developer, Tyler, has been pretty open about the game being a parody, but the backlash was real enough that it led to calls for renaming certain parts of the game.
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The Drama: Lawsuits and Review Bombs
You’d think a solo indie dev would be safe from corporate drama, but nope.
A company called Movie Games SA—the folks behind the Drug Dealer Simulator series—actually launched an "investigation" into Schedule 1. They claimed the game might be infringing on their intellectual property. Plot, mechanics, interface—they were looking at everything.
The internet did what the internet does. They went nuclear.
Fans of Schedule 1 started review-bombing Drug Dealer Simulator on Steam. They saw it as a big company trying to bully a solo creator who made a "better" version of their game. It got so bad that Movie Games SA had to put out a statement saying, "Look, there is no lawsuit. We’re just checking."
But the damage was done. The community backed Tyler, and the game’s popularity only exploded further.
Is Peter File Schedule 1 Actually Funny?
Comedy is subjective, but in the context of Schedule 1, the name serves a purpose. It tells you exactly what kind of game you’re playing. It’s not Stardew Valley. It’s a game where you’re a criminal, dealing to "junkies," and navigating a world that is intentionally ugly and politically incorrect.
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Honestly, the Peter File character is a litmus test. If the name makes you laugh (or at least roll your eyes), you’ll probably enjoy the game’s dark humor. If it makes you uncomfortable, the rest of the game—with its "Jenner Rising" gender-swapping drugs and "Tropic Thunder" effects—will probably be a bridge too far.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re diving into the world of Schedule 1, don't just focus on the memes.
- Experiment with the Lab: The real depth is in the chemistry. Mixing different additives creates wildly different effects and profit margins.
- Watch the Curfew: The game has a curfew mechanic. If you’re out late with a bag full of product, the cops will end your run real fast.
- Find the Payphones: The story is told through payphones scattered around the map. It’s easy to ignore them when you’re chasing Peter File around, but they explain why the world is so messed up.
- Check the Steam Forums: Because the game is in Early Access, mechanics change fast. The controversy around the "Indian Dealer" achievement and other labels means the dev is actively patching the game.
Ultimately, Schedule 1 is a throwback to a time when games weren't afraid to be "trashy." Whether it’s a masterpiece of indie simulation or just a collection of edgy jokes is up to you. But one thing is for sure: you’re never going to look at the name "Peter File" the same way again.
To master the game, focus on building your reputation in the lower-income neighborhoods first before trying to move into the high-stakes areas. The police presence scales with your success, so don't get greedy too early. Keep your "mixers" varied, and keep an eye on the patch notes—Tyler is known for adding new, equally bizarre NPCs every few weeks.