Melbourne-based videogame developer firm House House announced this week that the popular video game Big Walk would not be rolled out on Xbox due to their compliance with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
The developers said that while in 2026 they had announced that the game would be released on computers and other devices such as PS5 and Switch 2, fans urged them against a future Xbox release.
“We have made the decision not to release Big Walk on Xbox, in accordance with the Palestinian-led BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement’s call to boycott Microsoft, and their designation of Microsoft Games (and Xbox) as a priority boycott target,” the statement from the developers reads.
It calls on fans and readers to read about why Microsoft is being targeted, and how such a targeted boycott has already been proven to be effective. It directs people to the BDS website, which details how Microsoft's technology is being used in Israel’s war on Gaza to carry out potential war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
“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,” the statement from House House continued.
House House expressed regret at not being able to make the game available Xbox, but said it remains firm on the decision until Microsoft and, or Xbox have been removed as BDS boycott targets.
The decision has received widespread praise from activists, with many also calling on them to take their decision a step further by cutting any links they have to SONY, citing their sale of equipment to the Israeli military.
This is not the first time House House has supported the plight of Palestinians. In 2023, the developer released a statement emphasising the Palestinian right to self-determination following the start of Israel’s genocidal war on the enclave.
“Now that we're back on here, we want to express our support for the Palestinian people, and their right to self-determination, safety and happiness. An end to this genocide. An end to apartheid. Free Palestine,” they wrote.
The Big Walk game, which is a multi-player adventure that centres on teamwork, challenges and puzzles, is still available on other apps and platforms, including Steam and Nintendo.
