Maddy Makes Games Delists Celeste and TowerFall from Xbox to Support BDS Boycott

Key points

• Maddy Thorson confirmed that Celeste and TowerFall were delisted from the Xbox Store to support the BDS boycott.
• The games remain available on PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and PC platforms.
• This action follows House House's decision to withhold Big Walk from Xbox in support of the same movement.
• The BDS movement targets Microsoft for providing AI and cloud services to the Israeli Ministry of Defence.
• Other developers, including those behind Ice Water and All Will Rise, have also joined the boycott.

Background

In October 2026, a wave of indie developers began withdrawing their games from Xbox in support of the BDS movement. House House announced that Big Walk would not launch on Xbox until Microsoft was removed from the boycott list. This followed earlier actions by other studios and aligns with a broader industry pushback against Microsoft's contracts with Israel, as reported in our archive from mid-October 2026.

How outlets are covering it

Rock Paper Shotgun emphasizes the direct confirmation by Maddy Thorson and the broader BDS context, noting the removal of both games. GamesIndustry.biz highlights the growing list of developers supporting the boycott, including Ice Water and Speculative Agency, and details Microsoft's acknowledgment of providing services to the Israeli Ministry of Defence. Kotaku focuses on the cultural impact, noting Celeste's status as a 2018 Game Awards winner and the broader anti-Xbox sentiment within the indie community. All sources agree on the core facts but differ in emphasis: RPS focuses on the immediate action, GIZ on the industry-wide trend, and Kotaku on the cultural significance.

Why it matters

This delisting signals a significant shift in the gaming industry, with high-profile indie developers using their platforms to protest Microsoft's corporate practices. It reflects growing pressure on major tech companies to address their involvement in conflicts, particularly in Gaza. The move may influence other developers and could impact Xbox's market share in the indie segment.

What to watch

Microsoft has not responded to the delisting, and it is unclear if they will take action to address the boycott. Other developers may follow suit, potentially leading to a broader withdrawal of indie games from Xbox. The BDS movement may continue to target other companies, and Microsoft's contracts with Israel could face increased scrutiny.