The situation
If you were lowkey waiting to play the co-op adventure Big Walk on your Xbox, you’re officially out of luck. The game’s developer, House House, confirmed they are intentionally skipping an Xbox release for their hit title. The reason? They’re participating in the Palestinian-led BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement, which has specifically flagged Microsoft and its gaming division as targets due to the company's contracts with the Israeli military and government.
The reasoning
House House kept it 100 in a recent blog post, acknowledging that keeping the game off a major console like Xbox goes against their vibe of bringing groups of friends together. However, they aren't backing down. The team stated, “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.” They maintain that collective action is the only way to challenge powerful interests, even if it means missing out on potential players.
The technical catch
Here is where the plot thickens: while Big Walk isn't on Xbox, it is still available on Windows via Steam. It feels a little contradictory, and it’s definitely giving “pick and choose” energy. The Verge has asked House House why they’re cool with Windows but not Xbox, but they haven't gotten a response yet. Say less—it's a complex line to draw for an indie studio.
Why it matters
This is a classic case of a dev putting their values over the bag. It’s rare to see a game studio publicly turn down a major platform reach to stand by a political stance, and it really highlights how interconnected the tech industry is with global politics. Whether this move makes a dent in Microsoft’s bottom line or just creates a major headache for players, it's definitely a bold choice.
