Xbox waits for Big Walk until Microsoft ends BDS targeting
The launch of the acclaimed game Big Walk on PC and PS5 has been met with critical praise, but a notable omission exists on one major gaming platform: the Xbox Series X|S. This decision sparked significant discussion among developers and players, leading to a statement that connected the game’s distribution to a wider political movement.
Developer House House explained their choice, stating that excluding the game from the Xbox platform was a deliberate act of support for the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement. The developers emphasized their intention to allow the game to be played by groups of friends, a sentiment they felt was best served by keeping the title off the Xbox platform.
“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. We would love for people to be able to play the game on Xbox, but not until Microsoft and/or Xbox have been removed as BDS boycott targets,” House House wrote in their statement.
The developers framed their action not just as a distribution choice, but as a demand for broader systemic change. They expressed a belief that meaningful change is achieved through coordinated collective action, asserting that one day, Palestine will be free.
This situation highlights the complex intersection of commercial interests and political activism. Microsoft, as a major entity, became a focus of the BDS initiative due to its existing contracts with the Israeli government and military. Consequently, the movement has called for a boycott of the company, extending to its games, hardware, and subscriptions.
In response to the developers’ stance, The Palestinian BDS movement issued a statement, fully endorsing the decision. They encouraged gamers, developers, journalists, and workers to sign the No Games for Genocide pledge and continue the boycott of Xbox.
The pressure exerted on Microsoft has indeed led to tangible actions. Last year, the company took a notable step by blocking the Israeli government from accessing its cloud storage and AI systems, technologies that have reportedly been used for surveillance of Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza.
While some users have questioned why the game is available on PC, it is worth noting the distinction in sales structure. Purchasing Big Walk through a marketplace like Steam does not result in Microsoft receiving a cut of sales, unlike when the game is sold through the official Xbox marketplace.
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