A Stanford University computer science student has created a video game that allows players to explore a fully digitized version of San Francisco, drawing comparisons to the popular Grand Theft Auto franchise.
Thijs Simonian developed the homemade game using data from Apple Maps, enabling players to navigate the city's streets, climb buildings, and operate vehicles throughout the virtual environment. The game also features hang gliding capabilities that allow users to soar above San Francisco's iconic skyline.
Simonian shared clips of the game on social media Sunday, August 24, demonstrating the various gameplay mechanics. By Monday night, he reported that the game had accumulated 884 hours of playtime, with users collectively traversing 15,913 miles of virtual San Francisco streets.
The developer has continuously expanded the game's features in response to player demand. Recent additions include the ability to teleport to any address within the city, multi-player functionality, customizable avatar options, and shareable location links that allow users to direct others to specific spots in the virtual landscape.
Simonian expressed enthusiasm about the development process on social media, noting his ability to build new features while hundreds of players tested them simultaneously.
The game has resonated particularly with former and current San Francisco residents, who have used it to revisit familiar locations. One user who lived in the city for 20 years described the experience as emotional, commenting on the surreal nature of exploring a digital recreation of their former neighborhood.
Angel investor Bobby Goodlatte shared images from the game showing his former condominium, demonstrating the level of detail captured in the virtual environment.
Social media reactions to the game have included commentary on San Francisco's reputation and challenges. Crypto executive Steven Lubka made a tongue-in-cheek observation about the game's car theft mechanics mirroring real-world perceptions of the city. Another user offered similar commentary about the game's features.
Some users connected the game to broader issues facing the Bay Area, with one commenter joking about the region's housing crisis by suggesting that virtual exploration had become necessary due to limited housing supply.
The project demonstrates the potential for mapping technology to be repurposed for interactive entertainment, offering players an unprecedented opportunity to explore an accurate digital representation of an entire major city.
