Big Walk Skips Xbox as House House Backs Microsoft BDS Boycott

House House, the Australian studio behind Untitled Goose Game, has confirmed it won’t release its cooperative adventure Big Walk on Xbox because of Microsoft's inclusion in a Palestinian-led boycott campaign. The developer says it will reconsider bringing the game to Xbox only when Microsoft or its gaming division is removed from the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement’s list of boycott targets.

The decision creates an unusual situation for a game built around bringing friends together. Big Walk supports cross-platform multiplayer for up to 12 participants, but Xbox owners cannot join the experience on Microsoft’s consoles. House House acknowledges the restriction will disappoint some players, calling it a consequence of the studio’s decision to support the boycott.

House House Explains Why Big Walk Is Not Coming to Xbox

In an official statement published October 15, House House addressed questions about the absence of an Xbox version. In June, the studio announced that Big Walk would be available on computers, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2, excluding Microsoft’s console platform.

House House said the exclusion was deliberate and reflected its support for the Palestinian-led BDS movement, which identifies Microsoft and Xbox as priority boycott targets. The developer believes coordinated action can pressure large corporations to change their practices.

The studio also acknowledged the conflict between its position and the game’s social design. Big Walk was created to encourage groups of friends to spend time together, and excluding a major gaming platform limits who can participate. House House said it understood some players would be disappointed but maintained its decision.

The company has not announced plans for an Xbox version or provided a timetable for reconsidering its position. Any change would depend on Microsoft’s status under the boycott campaign rather than a conventional development or publishing schedule.

Why the BDS Movement Is Targeting Microsoft

The BDS movement has called for action against Microsoft over the company’s commercial relationships with the Israeli government and military. Campaign organisers have criticised Microsoft’s provision of Azure cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence services, alleging that its technology has supported Israeli military activities involving Palestinians.

In its Xbox boycott campaign, the movement encourages consumers and gaming industry participants to avoid Microsoft’s gaming products as part of a broader effort to pressure the company.

Microsoft has previously addressed concerns that Israeli military organisations use its technology. In September 2025, company president Brad Smith announced that Microsoft had disabled certain cloud and AI services for a unit within Israel’s Ministry of Defence after an internal review found evidence supporting elements of reports about civilian surveillance.

Microsoft stated that its policies prohibit using its technology for mass surveillance of civilians. The company also said it would continue providing cybersecurity services in the region. That announcement preceded House House’s decision and was not a response to the developer’s latest statement.

House House has not suggested that Microsoft’s previous actions are sufficient to change its position. Instead, the studio has tied any potential Xbox release to the company’s removal from the relevant BDS boycott targets.

Big Walk Remains Available on PC, PS5 and Switch 2

Big Walk launched on August 4, 2026, for Windows, macOS, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2. Developed by House House and published by Panic, the game focuses on exploration, cooperation, and communication as groups of friends navigate a colourful world filled with puzzles and environmental challenges.

The game’s multiplayer systems rely on voice and text communication, with distance and environmental obstacles shaping how players interact. Sessions support 2 to 12 players, and the game adjusts certain challenges based on the group size the host selects.

According to the official Big Walk FAQ, crossplay lets players on supported platforms play together. This means PC, Mac, PS5, and Switch 2 players can join the same sessions, although Xbox owners remain excluded.

The game is also available on Windows through Steam, despite Microsoft’s ownership of the operating system. House has not publicly explained how that distinction fits within its boycott position.

What the Xbox Boycott Means for Players

For Xbox users, the immediate consequence is straightforward: Big Walk has no supported console version. Players whose friends use other platforms cannot join them through Xbox hardware, even though the game otherwise supports cross-platform play.

The decision also illustrates how political positions can influence game distribution. Developers typically choose release platforms based on technical compatibility, commercial agreements and audience demand. In this case, House House has explicitly identified its support for a boycott as the reason for excluding Xbox.

It remains uncertain whether the decision influences Microsoft or encourages other developers to make similar choices. House House has acknowledged the potential cost to its audience but has not indicated that it intends to reverse course while Microsoft remains a boycott target.

Big Walk remains available on its existing platforms, with no Xbox release scheduled. For the foreseeable future, the studio’s political position will remain a deciding factor in where players can access the game.