GoKawiilDeveloper withholds Big Walk from Xbox over Microsoft-Israel ties
The makers of multiplayer game Big Walk announced they deliberately excluded an Xbox release as part of a boycott targeting Microsoft, citing the company's involvement with Israel. The developers said they are following the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement's designation of Microsoft and Xbox as boycott targets, and will not bring the game to the platform until that designation is lifted.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The decision shows a game studio prioritizing political activism over reaching the full audience for a game built around playing with friends, acknowledging it will alienate some players. It reflects a broader trend of tech workers and smaller studios using product decisions as leverage against large companies over geopolitical issues, though whether such boycotts influence corporate policy remains uncertain.
- Big Walk's developers intentionally skipped an Xbox launch as a boycott action
- The move targets Microsoft specifically over its ties to Israel, per BDS movement criteria
- Developers say they'll reconsider once Microsoft/Xbox are removed from boycott lists
Source: theverge.com — Jess Weatherbed, 2026-10-15
Published there as: “Big Walk skipped Xbox to boycott Microsoft’s involvement with Israel”
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