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The creators of the co-op walking game Big Walk have announced that their title will not be released on Xbox consoles. Developer House House stated this decision aligns with the Palestinian-led BDS movement, which has called for a boycott of Microsoft due to its contracts with the Israeli military and government. Microsoft was identified as a priority target in June last year, with specific calls to avoid Xbox hardware, Game Pass subscriptions, and related gaming accessories.

House House acknowledged that excluding the game from Xbox runs counter to their original intention of allowing friends to play together. They expressed disappointment at causing this inconvenience but emphasized that they would not release the game on Xbox until Microsoft is removed from the boycott list. The developers stated they made this choice with the belief that coordinated collective action can confront powerful interests and contribute to meaningful change, including the goal of a free Palestine.

While the game remains unavailable on Xbox consoles, it is playable on Microsoft’s Windows operating system through Steam. House House has not yet explained why the game was excluded from Windows but promised to update if they receive further information. The decision highlights the ongoing tension between gaming communities and political activism surrounding Microsoft’s business relationships in Israel.