Origame Digital Bans 'Penguin Colony' in Israel to Protest Genocide

Key points

• Origame Digital, the developer of Penguin Colony, has prevented the game from being sold in Israel.
• Publisher Fellow Traveller confirmed the ban in a Steam thread, stating the developer requested the restriction to demonstrate solidarity with Palestine.
• The game features a post-credits message criticizing the gaming industry's silence on the ongoing conflict in Palestine.
• Penguin Colony is a Lovecraftian horror game based on H.P. Lovecraft's 'At the Mountains of Madness,' available on PC now with console versions planned for 2027.
• The studio has previously included land acknowledgments for Indigenous Australians in its games, reflecting its broader political activism.

Background

This decision follows a trend of increased political activism in the entertainment industry. In September 2026, Ed Sheeran’s tour faced disruptions after opening acts quit in solidarity with Macklemore, who was removed for pro-Palestine remarks. Additionally, the studio House House recently withheld its game Big Walk from Xbox due to Microsoft’s ties to Israel, aligning with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.

How outlets are covering it

Eurogamer and Kotaku both highlight the direct action taken by Origame Digital, noting that the studio pairs its verbal statements with concrete distribution restrictions. The Guardian focuses on the artistic merit of the game, describing it as a bold retelling of Lovecraft’s work that critiques colonialism and racism, while acknowledging the political statements embedded in the game’s structure. All sources agree that Origame Digital is vocal about its political views, but Eurogamer and Kotaku emphasize the significance of the sales ban as a tangible form of protest, whereas The Guardian frames the political elements as part of the game's broader narrative critique.

Why it matters

This move signals a growing willingness among game developers to use distribution rights as a tool for political expression, challenging the traditional neutrality of the gaming industry. It highlights the increasing intersection of corporate ethics and geopolitical conflicts, potentially influencing how other studios approach sales in contested regions.

What to watch

Console editions of Penguin Colony are scheduled for release in 2027. The impact of this regional ban on the game’s overall sales and the broader industry’s response to BDS-related boycotts will be monitored in the coming months.