So, you’ve probably seen the name popping up on your Steam discovery queue or maybe a random Reddit thread. TVGS. It stands for Tyler’s Video Game Studio. Honestly, it sounds like the kind of placeholder name a developer uses while they’re still figuring out their branding, but it’s actually the official banner for one of 2025’s most surprising indie success stories.
The studio is based in Sydney, Australia. It’s tiny. We are talking three people. Yet, they managed to drop a game called Schedule I that basically hijacked the Steam charts almost overnight.
If you haven't played it, Schedule I is a drug business simulator. It’s gritty, it’s complicated, and it’s surprisingly addictive. Think Breaking Bad meets a deep management sim, but with a weirdly charming lo-fi aesthetic. People are obsessed. As of early 2026, the game is sitting with an "Overwhelmingly Positive" rating.
What Is Tyler’s Video Game Studio Exactly?
It is the brainchild of a developer known simply as Tyler. For a long time, he was just a guy posting on r/GameDev, worried that he was "kneecapping" his project by giving it such a technical, US-centric name. He actually asked the community if he should change it to something with "Drug" or "Narco" in the title to help with SEO.
Thankfully, he stuck to his guns.
The studio’s philosophy seems to be "depth over flash." While big AAA studios are obsessed with 4K textures and microtransactions, TVGS focused on systems. They built a world where market prices fluctuate based on your actions, where rival gangs have actual AI logic, and where one bad delivery can actually end your entire run.
It took about three years of development to get to the Early Access launch. Most of that was Tyler solo-developing before bringing on a composer named KAESUL and a graffiti artist named Cody To to handle the vibes. It’s a scrappy team, but the results speak for themselves.
Why Schedule I Hit Different
Most tycoon games are just "click button, get money." This isn't that.
- Risk Management: You aren't just a boss; you're a target. You have to balance production with heat from the feds.
- Co-op Mode: This was a genius move. Playing a management sim with a friend usually feels tacked on, but here, it’s essential for managing multiple "turfs."
- The Soundtrack: KAESUL’s work is incredible. It’s this moody, synth-heavy atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re actually in a 1980s crime thriller.
The game hit over 68,000 concurrent players at its peak. For a three-person team from Sydney, those are "life-changing" numbers. It’s proof that players are starving for games that actually respect their intelligence.
Clearing Up the "Tyler" Confusion
Because "Tyler" is a common name in gaming, there’s been a ton of misinformation. Let’s set the record straight so you don't go down the wrong rabbit hole.
It is NOT Tyler "Ninja" Blevins.
Ninja is busy being the Chief Innovation Officer at GameSquare and running Ninja Labs. While he’s definitely into game development, he’s not the one making gritty Australian drug sims. Ninja's "studio" setup is mostly for his massive streaming empire and high-end production, not indie coding.
It is NOT Tyler, The Creator.
The rapper did have an 8-bit desktop game released in early 2025 by illustrator Ali Graham, but that was a fan-led celebration of his music. He isn't secretly running a studio in Sydney.
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It is NOT Tyler McVicker.
The famous Valve insider (formerly Valve News Network) reports on games, he doesn't usually build them from scratch. He’s currently tracking whatever "Tf" project Valve is cooking, but he’s a journalist and dataminer, not the founder of TVGS.
It is NOT Tyler Glaiel.
Glaiel is a legend—the guy behind The End Is Nigh and Mewgenics (finally out in 2026!). He’s a frequent collaborator with Edmund McMillen. While he’s a "Tyler" in the indie space, his studio is Glaiel Games.
What’s Next for the Studio?
Tyler (the TVGS one) has been pretty vocal on Discord about the roadmap. Since the Steam success was so massive, the plan is to spend the next two years in Early Access.
They are currently working on a massive "International Trade" update. It’s supposed to add maritime logistics and new factions. There is also talk of a PlayStation and Xbox port, though Tyler has warned fans that console certification is a "nightmare" for a team this small.
If you're a fan of indie dev stories, this is the one to watch. It’s a reminder that a guy with a PC and a weird idea can still take on the giants.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to support Tyler’s Video Game Studio, the best thing you can do—besides buying the game—is to leave a detailed review on Steam. Steam's algorithm loves engagement, and for a small studio, those reviews are the difference between staying on the front page and disappearing into the abyss. You should also check out the official TVGS website (tvgs-games.com) to see the developer's devlogs, which offer a really raw look at how Schedule I was built.