Indie darlings Celeste and Towerfall have been removed from Xbox platforms, with developer Maddy Thorson of Maddy Makes Games citing support for the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Thorson announced the delistings on social media platform Bluesky, explaining the decision was made to align with the ongoing boycott against Microsoft.
Celeste, a highly acclaimed 2D platformer released in 2018, and Towerfall: Ascension, a fast-paced local multiplayer title, are no longer available for purchase or download on Xbox. This action follows a similar protest by the studio House House, which opted not to release its game Big Walk on Xbox in support of BDS.
"It has always been our intention for Big Walk to be played by groups of friends, and we know that keeping the game off Xbox runs counter to those intentions," House House stated. "This decision means that some people will miss out on playing Big Walk with their friends, and we are disappointed too."
Understanding BDS
The BDS movement is an international initiative advocating for boycotts, divestments, and sanctions against Israel. It aims to pressure Israel to comply with international law, specifically concerning the end of its occupation of Palestinian territories, recognition of Palestinian rights to equality, and respect for the rights of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes.
Microsoft as a BDS Target
According to BDS, Microsoft is considered a significant target due to its alleged complicity in Israel's occupation and actions in Gaza. The movement points to Microsoft's provision of Azure cloud and AI services to the Israeli military, which they claim are used in operations against Palestinians. Reports from The Guardian indicated that Microsoft's Azure technology had been supplied to the Israeli military for surveillance of Palestinians, leading to bombings. While Microsoft previously restricted certain uses of its technology in response to such revelations, the company remains a focus for BDS due to ongoing technological provision to the Israeli government.
Other developers have also expressed solidarity with Palestine. Origame Digital, the studio behind Penguin Colony, included a statement in its game's credits criticizing the perceived inaction of the gaming industry during the conflict and blocked sales of its game in Israel.