San Francisco techie takes down zombie video game that let players kill homeless people: 'It showed poor judgment'
A San Francisco artificial intelligence founder has taken down a controversial online zombie shooter game set in the city's Tenderloin neighborhood following heavy backlash over its depiction of homeless people. Creator Pierre-Louis Biojout removed the game after critics claimed it allowed players to target unhoused residents and individuals struggling with addiction. Biojout admitted his creation showed poor judgment and stated that targeting people struggling with homelessness or addiction was never his intention. He refunded all advertisers and made a personal donation to a drug treatment and recovery service.
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- ✓ Developer Pierre-Louis Biojout removed his Tenderloin Night Shift zombie shooter game after backlash over its depiction of homeless people as enemies.
- ✓ The creator stated that targeting people struggling with addiction or homelessness was never his intention.
- ✓ Biojout refunded all advertisers and made a donation to a drug treatment and recovery service equivalent to the revenue generated by the game.
- ✓ The game was set in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood.
What changed
Creator Pierre-Louis Biojout permanently removed the game and issued an apology following public backlash over its depiction of homeless residents.
Live updates
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SF Techie Pulls Zombie Game Targeting Homeless
A San Francisco artificial intelligence founder has taken down a controversial online zombie shooter game set in the city's Tenderloin neighborhood following heavy backlash over its depiction of homeless people. Creator Pierre-Louis Biojout removed the game after critics claimed it allowed players to target unhoused residents and individuals struggling with addiction. Biojout admitted his creation showed poor judgment and stated that targeting people struggling with homelessness or addiction was never his intention. He refunded all advertisers and made a personal donation to a drug treatment and recovery service.
Why it matters
The controversy highlights tensions around the portrayal of vulnerable populations in technology and urban areas. The Tenderloin neighborhood is frequently at the center of discussions regarding homelessness and drug use in San Francisco. The rapid removal of the game follows intense public criticism over the ethics of turning real-world urban struggles into fictional shooting targets.
What is confirmed
- Developer Pierre-Louis Biojout removed his Tenderloin Night Shift zombie shooter game after backlash over its depiction of homeless people as enemies.
- The creator stated that targeting people struggling with addiction or homelessness was never his intention.
- Biojout refunded all advertisers and made a donation to a drug treatment and recovery service equivalent to the revenue generated by the game.
- The game was set in San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood.
What to watch next
- Any further statements from local officials or advocacy groups regarding the incident
- Confirmation of the specific drug treatment and recovery service that received the donation
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (13)
- NBC Bay Area — Zombie shooter game based on San Francisco's Tenderloin causes controversy
- San Francisco Chronicle — Tenderloin ‘zombie shooter’ game shut down by creator after backlash over depiction of homeless
- ABC7 Bay Area — 'Tenderloin Night Shift': Zombie shooting game set in San Francisco neighborhood taken offline after backlash
- SFist — SF AI Founder’s Zombie Shooter Game Turns Tenderloin Residents Into Targets
- KRON4 — Creator of zombie shooter game based in San Francisco shuts it down
- Hindustan Times — San Francisco techie takes down zombie video game that let players kill homeless people: 'It showed poor judgment' | Hindustan Times
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