Maddy Makes Games has pulled Celeste and TowerFall from the Xbox platform in a move to show support for the pro-Palestinian BDS boycott

Image credit: Maddy Makes Games

In a recent move, Maddy Makes Games has decided to remove its popular titles, Celeste and TowerFall, from the Xbox platform. This action supports the pro-Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) initiative.

The removal was noticed by players and confirmed on social media by the developer Maddy Thorson, who stated, "For those who're asking, yes we delisted Celeste and TowerFall on Xbox. We did this to support the BDS boycott."

Other developers have joined in supporting the BDS campaign. Recently, House House, known for developing Big Walk, announced they would not release the cooperative game on Xbox. Despite the intention for friends to play it, they explained their decision is rooted in hoping for effective global change towards freedom for Palestine.

The list of developers backing the boycott includes Ice Water, the team behind Tenderfoot Tactics, Speculative Agency with All Will Rise, and Dan Dilorio, the creator of Luck be a Landlord.

This movement was sparked due to allegations from an Associated Press investigation highlighting concerns over Microsoft's Azure and AI technologies being potentially used by the Israeli Ministry of Defence (IMOD) in the Gaza conflict. Microsoft has stated they provide these services to IMOD but have performed an internal review that found no evidence of their technology being used to target civilians.