Stanford Student Launches Open-World San Francisco Game Built from Apple Maps

Thijs Simonian, a computer-science student at Stanford University, unveiled a self-made video game that reproduces San Francisco street-by-street using Apple Maps information. The platform allows participants to enter vehicles, pilot a hang glider across the iconic skyline, and instantly jump to any location via a teleport feature. After initial release, Simonian incorporated multiplayer support, customizable avatars, and shareable location links in response to player demand.

As of Monday night the title logged 884 hours of playtime and users collectively covered more than 15,913 miles of the virtual city. Players have posted emotional comments, noting how the experience mirrors their personal histories in the Bay Area. Notable participants, including investor Bobby Goodlatte, posted screenshots of familiar properties, while others joked about the city's reputation for crime.