‘Celeste’ and ‘Towerfall’ Delisted From Xbox as Developer Joins Boycott

Acclaimed indie titles Celeste and TowerFall have been pulled from Xbox storefronts. In a recent social media announcement, developer Maddy Thorson revealed that her studio, Maddy Makes Games, removed both games to stand in solidarity with the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Microsoft.

For those who’re asking, yes we delisted Celeste and TowerFall on XBox. We did this to support the BDS boycott — Maddy Thorson (@maddymakesgames.com) 2026-10-29T14:40:23.815Z

Originally launched in 2018, Celeste remains celebrated as a landmark 2D platformer across PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Meanwhile, TowerFall: Ascension established itself as a premier multiplayer arena experience, earning praise as a defining title of the couch co-op revival.

Thorson joins a growing roster of creators protesting Microsoft over its ties to the Israeli military. House House, the studio behind Big Walk, similarly announced that its upcoming project would skip Xbox to comply with the BDS movement. “It has always been our intention for Big Walk to be played by groups of friends, and we know that keeping the game off Xbox runs counter to those intentions,” the developers stated. “This decision means that some people will miss out on playing Big Walk with their friends, and we understand the disappointment we’re causing. We are disappointed too.”

The studio added, “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. We’ve made this decision with the belief that meaningful change can be made in the world, that coordinated collective action can confront even the most powerful interests, and that one day, Palestine will be free.”

What is BDS?

Modeled after historical boycotts against apartheid-era South Africa, the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement seeks to pressure Israel economically and culturally. According to the organization’s official guidelines, the movement aims to enforce international sanctions until Israel respects Palestinian self-determination and complies with international law.

Specifically, the campaign demands that Israel: 1. Terminate its occupation of Arab territories and dismantle the West Bank barrier; 2. Grant full civic equality to Palestinian citizens within Israel; and 3. Uphold the internationally recognized right of Palestinian refugees to return to their ancestral homes, as outlined in UN Resolution 194.

Why is Microsoft targeted by BDS?

Organizers have focused heavily on Microsoft due to its corporate ties with the Israeli government. The BDS movement asserts that Microsoft is deeply embedded in Israel’s military apparatus, providing critical Azure cloud architecture and artificial intelligence tools utilized by defense forces.

Investigative reports published by The Guardian in 2025 revealed that Microsoft’s Azure platform had been deployed to facilitate mass surveillance operations against Palestinians. While public backlash and ensuing protests eventually prompted Microsoft to restrict certain surveillance applications of its cloud software, the company remains a primary boycott target due to its ongoing technological contracts with the Israeli state.

Other indie developers are joining the movement as well. Origame Digital, the creators of Penguin Colony, elected to halt sales of their game in Israel, accompanied by a poignant message in the game’s credits: “The cowardice of the Game Industry during the ongoing genocide of Palestine by Israel will be recorded by the art it makes.”

Developer House House confirmed its stance in a statement

Source: Polygon