From Dexerto · Zackerie Fairfax · · 50s
Dev cancels zombie shooter after homeless depiction backlash
Indie dev removes game after criticism for portraying homeless people as enemies.
In brief
Indie dev removes game after criticism for portraying homeless people as enemies. Pierre-Louis Biojout canceled Tenderloin Night Shift following backlash over depicting homeless and opioid users as zombies. Originally reported by Dexerto.
Game removed after criticism
Indie developer Pierre-Louis Biojout canceled Tenderloin Night Shift following backlash over depicting homeless people as enemies.
“I built and posted a zombie game set on San Francisco streets. The setting and the way I promoted it showed poor judgment. Targeting people struggling with addiction or homelessness was never my intention.”
Game depicted homeless as enemies
Tenderloin Night Shift featured enemies based on Tenderloin residents, including a zombie type called 'the Folded' referencing the fentanyl fold.
“the Folded was a clear reference to the fentanyl fold, a term used to describe opioid users who are bent forward at the waist.”
San Francisco officials condemned game
District Supervisor Bilal Mahmood called the game 'dehumanizing and should never be normalized', and the city attorney's office labeled it 'abhorrent'.
“dehumanizing and should never be normalized”
Developer refunds and donations
Biojout refunded advertisers and donated $300 in game revenue to Delancey Street, a nonprofit providing addiction treatment and recovery services.
“I’ve taken the game and promotional posts down, refunded all advertisers”
The essence
Pierre-Louis Biojout canceled Tenderloin Night Shift following backlash over depicting homeless and opioid users as zombies.
