Big Walk skips Xbox in support of BDS boycott

Big Walk skips Xbox in support of BDS boycott

Australian indie studio House House has confirmed that its cooperative adventure Big Walk will not be released on Xbox because of the developer’s support for the aims of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, a pro-Palestinian human rights campaign.

Microsoft, which owns Xbox, is identified by the BDS movement as a priority boycott target. The organisation describes it as being deeply involved in services connected with Israel’s government and military.

Why there is no Xbox version

House House said the decision conflicts with one of Big Walk’s central ideas: bringing groups of friends together. The studio acknowledged that excluding Xbox means some players will miss the chance to enjoy the game with friends, and said it understands their disappointment.

House House said it wants Big Walk to reach Xbox players, but will not make that version while Microsoft and/or Xbox remain BDS boycott targets.

The developer said it made the choice believing that coordinated collective action can challenge powerful interests and contribute to meaningful change. It also expressed hope for a free Palestine. House House’s full position is available in the studio’s statement.

Microsoft’s role in the boycott

Microsoft provides the Israeli government and military with cloud and artificial-intelligence services, including services described as supporting combat and intelligence work. Reporting by The Guardian has examined those relationships.

The BDS campaign has already applied pressure to Microsoft. In September 2025, the company reportedly cut off Israel’s access to cloud technology said to have been used for mass surveillance of Palestinians. The source material notes that the boycott designation itself appeared to remain in place.

What is Big Walk?

House House created Big Walk as a follow-up to its acclaimed Untitled Goose Game. It is a multiplayer adventure where players control stick figures, travel through a natural environment and work together to solve puzzles.

The game is among the best-reviewed releases of 2026 and is considered a leading independent contender as the year’s awards season approaches. Its missing Xbox edition makes it the highest-profile game yet to omit Microsoft’s console explicitly because of the boycott.

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