MaddyMakesGames Removes Celeste and TowerFall from Xbox Store in Support of BDS
MaddyMakesGames confirmed that both Celeste and TowerFall have been removed from the Xbox store to support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. This action follows similar decisions by other indie developers this month, reflecting growing anti-Xbox sentiment linked to Microsoft's contracts with the Israeli government. The removals impact two of the most acclaimed indie titles of the decade, with Celeste having won Best Indie Game at the 2018 Game Awards.
Key points
- Maddy Thorson of MaddyMakesGames confirmed on Bluesky that Celeste and TowerFall are no longer available on Xbox.
- The removals are explicitly in support of the BDS movement targeting Microsoft.
- This is the second high-profile indie withdrawal from Xbox this month, following House House's decision regarding Big Walk.
- The BDS movement includes a collective called No Games For Genocide, which urges a boycott of Xbox services.
- Penguin Colony also took a stand by banning sales in Israel and criticizing industry silence on the conflict.
Background
In mid-October 2026, Melbourne-based developer House House announced that its co-op game Big Walk would not launch on Xbox to align with the BDS movement, which designates Microsoft as a priority target due to its contracts with the Israeli government. The studio stated it would only release the game on Xbox once Microsoft was removed from the boycott list. This decision followed internal Microsoft employee protests and mirrored actions by other indie developers. Meanwhile, Microsoft continued to expand its Xbox catalog, unveiling a 50-game October slate in late October that included titles like The Wolf Among Us remaster and Mouthwashing, despite the growing controversy.
Why it matters
The removal of major indie titles like Celeste and TowerFall signals a deepening rift between the gaming industry and Microsoft over its geopolitical ties. As the BDS movement gains traction among developers, Xbox faces a potential loss of critical indie support, which could impact its platform appeal and library diversity. This trend highlights how corporate political stances are increasingly influencing consumer product availability and developer partnerships.
What to watch
Developers and consumers may continue to monitor which titles are removed or withheld from Xbox in support of the BDS movement. Microsoft may face increased scrutiny over its contracts and public relations strategy as more high-profile indie games are pulled from its store. The long-term impact on Xbox's indie library and market share remains to be seen.
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