Big Walk developer House House won't release game on Xbox, citing BDS boycott of Microsoft
Australian studio House House says it will not release its co-op game Big Walk on Xbox, in line with the Palestinian-led BDS movement's call to boycott Microsoft. The game launched in August on PC, PS5 and Switch 2.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2House House, the Australian studio behind the co-op walking game Big Walk, has said it will not release the game on Xbox while Microsoft and/or Xbox remain targets of the Palestinian-led BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement. The VergeLC “it decided not to release Big Walk on Xbox consoles in accordance with the Palestinian-led BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement” Read at The Verge ↗ Screen RantN “until "Microsoft and/or XBOX have been removed as BDS boycott targets."” Read at Screen Rant ↗ Centre · 1Big Walk launched in August and has been popular; Screen Rant reports a Metacritic score of 91 and calls it a possible Game of the Year contender, and says it is available on PS Plus, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC. Screen RantN “as well as a respectable score of 91 on Metacritic.”“Big Walk was released on PS Plus, PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, with House House opting to skip Xbox.” Read at Screen Rant ↗ Centre · 1House House's statement says it announced in June 2026 that the game would be limited to computers, Switch 2 and PS5, and that it then received many questions about an Xbox release, which prompted the explanation. Screen RantN “In June 2026 we announced that the release of Big Walk would be limited to computers, Switch 2, and PS5.” Read at Screen Rant ↗
Left · 1The studio acknowledged the cost to players, saying keeping the game off Xbox runs counter to its intention that groups of friends play together and that it is disappointed too, but said it acted in the belief that "meaningful change can be made in the world" and that "one day, Palestine will be free." The VergeLC “we know that keeping the game off Xbox runs counter to those intentions.”“that one day, Palestine will be free.” Read at The Verge ↗ Left · 1The Verge reports that BDS named Microsoft a priority target in June last year over its contracts with the Israeli military and government, specifically citing Xbox consoles, Game Pass, Microsoft-owned franchises and accessories. The VergeLC “Microsoft was named a priority BDS target in June last year over contracts it has with the Israeli military and government” Read at The Verge ↗ Centre · 1Screen Rant says BDS cites Microsoft's involvement with the Israeli military, as revealed by a joint investigation by The Guardian, +972 Magazine and Local Call, and quotes BDS's website calling Microsoft "the most complicit tech company in Israel's illegal apartheid regime and ongoing genocide"; those are BDS's characterisations. Screen RantN “a recent joint investigation by The Guardian, the Israeli-Palestinian publication +972 Magazine, and Local Call” Read at Screen Rant ↗
Left · 1The Verge adds that Microsoft's involvement with Israel has also been protested by its own employees and that the company has fired staff for taking part in pro-Palestine demonstrations. The VergeLC “the company has fired staffers for participating in pro-Palestine demonstrations” Read at The Verge ↗ Left · 1Big Walk can still be played on Microsoft's Windows because it is sold on Steam; The Verge said it had asked House House why it had not excluded Windows and would update if it heard back. The VergeLC “Big Walk is playable on Microsoft’s Windows operating system, however, as it’s available to download via Steam.” Read at The Verge ↗ Mixed · 2Neither article reports a response from Microsoft or Xbox. Screen RantN “The news comes amid a series of controversies surrounding Xbox” Read at Screen Rant ↗ The VergeLC “We’ve asked House House why it hasn’t excluded Big Walk from Windows and will update if we hear back.” Read at The Verge ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Short news report centred on the studio's explanation, with context on Microsoft's Israel contracts and internal employee protests.
- Emphasis
- The studio's statement, BDS's targeting of Xbox products, Microsoft employee protests and firings.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the Game of the Year buzz or review scores.
- For example
-
“Microsoft’s involvement with Israel has also been protested by its own employees, and the company has fired staffers for participating in pro-Palestine demonstrations.” — The Verge
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Frames it as Xbox losing a Game of the Year contender because of an official boycott, linking it to wider Xbox troubles.
- Emphasis
- Game's acclaim (Metacritic 91), the loss to Xbox fans, BDS's own language about Microsoft, the Guardian/+972 investigation.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention Microsoft employee protests or firings, or that the game is playable on Windows via Steam.
- Charged language
- “Xbox Officially Loses 2026 GOTY Contender”“friendslop”
- For example
-
“Xbox will not be getting one of 2026's Game of the Year contenders as a direct consequence of an ongoing boycott of Microsoft.” — Screen Rant
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- House House said it will not release Big Walk on Xbox in line with the BDS call to boycott Microsoft.
- Big Walk launched in August and is available on platforms other than Xbox.
- The studio will reconsider only once Microsoft and/or Xbox are removed as BDS boycott targets.
Where accounts differ
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Where House House published its statement
- Left
- The Verge calls it a blog post.
- Centre
- Screen Rant says it was posted on the studio's official X account.
-
How the boycott is characterised
- Left
- The Verge describes BDS's call and Microsoft's Israeli military and government contracts, and adds employee protests and firings.
- Centre
- Screen Rant quotes BDS's strong language about Microsoft and describes the boycott as official rather than fan-led, with the developer 'actively in support'.
House House organisation
Says it will not release Big Walk on Xbox, following the BDS call, acknowledges players will miss out, and hopes collective action can bring change.
“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.” — The Verge
Left1 article
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Big Walk skipped Xbox to boycott Microsoft’s involvement with Israel
Neutral Concise explainer of the studio's statement with background on the BDS call and Microsoft's Israel ties.
Centre1 article
-
Xbox Officially Loses 2026 GOTY Contender Due To Microsoft Boycott
Mixed Treats the decision as a loss for Xbox and its fans while relaying the developer's and BDS's language at length.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 15 Oct 10:46 First Screen RantN Xbox Officially Loses 2026 GOTY Contender Due To Microsoft Boycott
- 15 Oct 11:05 +19m The VergeLC Big Walk skipped Xbox to boycott Microsoft’s involvement with Israel
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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