Big Walk Developers Boycott Xbox Amid BDS Movement
Developers of Big Walk have chosen to exclude Xbox from their multiplayer game, aligning with the BDS boycott against Microsoft.
Big Walk's Decision Explained
The co-op multiplayer walking adventure, Big Walk, has gained significant popularity since its debut in August. However, Xbox users are missing out on this engaging experience due to a principled stand taken by its developers. House House, the studio behind the game, recently detailed its reasons for omitting an Xbox release.
Aligning with the BDS Movement
In a blog post, House House clarified that their decision stems from the Palestinian-led BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement, which advocates for the boycott of companies associated with Israel, specifically targeting Microsoft and its gaming division.
Since June of the previous year, Microsoft has been on the BDS movement's radar due to its contracts with the Israeli military and government. This has led to calls for a boycott that includes Xbox consoles, Game Pass subscriptions, and any related gaming products.
Statements from House House
“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. 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 developers stated.
They emphasized that they would love to see Big Walk available on Xbox, but only once Microsoft or Xbox is no longer listed as a target of the BDS boycott.
“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,” they added.
The developers concluded their message by thanking the gaming community for their understanding regarding this difficult choice.
Availability on Other Platforms
While Xbox users are unable to access Big Walk, the game remains available for download on Microsoft's Windows operating system via Steam. The decision to exclude Xbox raises questions about why Big Walk continues to be accessible on Windows, and we have reached out to House House for clarification.
The discussion around this decision highlights the intersection of gaming and activism, showing how developers are willing to take a stand for their beliefs, even at the risk of losing a segment of their audience.
