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is a news writer focused on creative industries, computing, and internet culture. Jess started her career at TechRadar, covering news and hardware reviews.
Big Walk’s co-op multiplayer walking adventure has proved popular since launching in August, but Xbox players have been excluded from the fun — and now the game’s creators have explained why. Developer House House said in a blog post that it decided not to release Big Walk on Xbox consoles in accordance with the Palestinian-led BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement, which has called to boycott Microsoft, including products under the company’s gaming division.
Microsoft was named a priority BDS target in June last year over contracts it has with the Israeli military and government, with the boycott specifically calling out Xbox consoles and Game Pass subscriptions, gaming franchises owned by Microsoft, and any gaming accessories produced by the company. Microsoft’s involvement with Israel has also been protested by its own employees, and the company has fired staffers for participating in pro-Palestine demonstrations.
Here’s what House House said regarding its participation in the boycott:
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. 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.
We’ve made this decision with the belief that meaningful change can be made in the world, that coordinated collective action can confront even the most powerful interests, and that one day, Palestine will be free.
Thank you for your understanding.
Big Walk is playable on Microsoft’s Windows operating system, however, as it’s available to download via Steam. We’ve asked House House why it hasn’t excluded Big Walk from Windows and will update if we hear back.
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