S.F. leaders slam ‘gross’ AI video game where players shoot ‘zombies’ in the Tenderloin
Supervisor Bilal Mahmood speaks about the city’s efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis at a press conference on Market Street on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 in San Francisco, Calif.
TL;DR
- San Francisco leaders have condemned the AI video game "Tenderloin Night Shift" for its depiction of a zombie shooting gallery in the Tenderloin.
- Critics argue the game's targets resemble homeless residents and individuals with addiction, calling it dehumanizing and unacceptable.
- Developer Pierre-Louis Biojout states the game is a fictional zombie shooter and not intended to promote violence or target real people.
- City officials, including Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, have called the game "deeply disturbing" and a normalization of violence.
- The game is hosted on Biojout's company website, NanoCorp, and monetizes in-game ad sales.
- Community advocates and residents have expressed outrage, with some calling for the game to be taken down and proceeds donated to local nonprofits.