Developer House House has confirmed that its co-op adventure game Big Walk will not be released on Xbox. The decision stems from the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement's designation of Xbox owner Microsoft as a priority boycott target.
BDS states that Microsoft is a complicit entity in Israel's actions against Palestinians, calling it "perhaps the most complicit tech company in Israel’s illegal apartheid regime and ongoing genocide against 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza." The movement's website lists Microsoft as a target due to its provision of services to the Israeli government and military, including cloud and AI services, which are reportedly used for combat and intelligence.
In a statement, House House acknowledged the decision runs counter to its intention for Big Walk to be played with groups of friends. "This decision means that some people will miss out on playing Big Walk with their friends, and we understand the disappointment we’re causing. We are disappointed too," the developer said. They added that they would like to see the game available on Xbox, but not until Microsoft and/or Xbox are removed from the BDS boycott targets. The studio expressed belief in the power of collective action to drive meaningful change and the eventual freedom of Palestine.
This stance by House House represents the most high-profile instance yet of a game foregoing an Xbox release specifically due to the BDS boycott. In September 2025, Microsoft reportedly ceased providing cloud technology to Israel that was allegedly used in the surveillance of Palestinians, a move seen as a potential response to pressure from the BDS movement.
Big Walk, the follow-up to House House's Untitled Goose Game, is a multiplayer puzzle adventure where players cooperate to explore environments. The game has received widespread critical acclaim in 2026, positioning it as a strong contender for year-end awards.