23 Daily — According to gamesindustry.biz, indie developer Maddy Makes Games has delisted its two well-known titles, Celeste and TowerFall, from Xbox to support the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Players noticed the removal on October 29, 2026, and Maddy Thorson, the creator, later confirmed on social media that this action was taken to support the BDS boycott.
Multiple Developers Join BDS Boycott Movement
Maddy Makes Games is among several developers taking action to support the BDS boycott. Recently, indie developer House House announced it will not release its cooperative game Big Walk on Xbox for the same reason. They expressed that while they want groups of friends to enjoy Big Walk on Xbox, they will hold off until Microsoft or Xbox is no longer a target of the BDS boycott. House House stated their belief in meaningful global change through coordinated collective action and support for Palestine. Other developers endorsing the boycott include Ice Water, creator of Tenderfoot Tactics; Speculative Agency, developer of All Will Rise; and Dan Dilorio, creator of Luck be a Landlord.
Origins of the BDS Boycott and Microsoft's Response
The BDS boycott arose over concerns that Microsoft’s Azure cloud and AI technologies were being used by the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) to target civilians or cause harm amid the Gaza conflict, according to an Associated Press investigation. Microsoft acknowledged providing software, professional services, Azure cloud, and AI services to IMOD but stated that their internal review found "no evidence to date" that their technology has been used to target or harm people in the ongoing conflict.
Editor's take: Political positions influencing industry decisions offer entrepreneurs insight into collective action and ethical market demand
Actions by independent developers like Maddy Makes Games and House House to support the BDS boycott reveal how political stances and social responsibility are increasingly affecting market strategies and publishing decisions in the gaming industry. Entrepreneurs might need to more closely consider social issues and player expectations when shaping products and brand positioning. Observing the impact of such collective actions on the industry and consumers, as well as practical outcomes in corporate social responsibility efforts, can assist in discerning where to focus efforts. Verification can come from tracking whether more developers join the boycott, consumer and market reactions, and whether Microsoft or other major players alter policies or partnerships under pressure.