{
  "id": 17457455,
  "title": "Celeste and TowerFall have delisted from Xbox's digital storefronts to support BDS boycott",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/celeste-and-towerfall-have-delisted-from-xboxs-digital-storefronts-to",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-31T18:57:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PC Gamer",
    "slug": "pc-gamer",
    "url": "https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/celeste-and-towerfall-have-delisted-from-xboxs-digital-storefronts-to-support-bds-boycott/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Big Walk developer House House revealed earlier this month that their co-op puzzle adventure wouldn't be available for sale on Xbox, as Microsoft's gaming division is a priority target of the Palestinian-led BDS boycott. Microsoft, like other console producers, often takes a loss on hardware sales and recoups the loss through game sales on their digital storefronts, similar to Steam.\n\nFollowing House House's decision, narrative platformer Celeste and party fighter TowerFall were recently delisted from Xbox. Maddy Thorson of Maddy Makes Games explained on BlueSky that the delisting was done to support the BDS boycott. Microsoft earns a cut from sales through its proprietary digital distribution storefront, so removing critically acclaimed games like Celeste and TowerFall from Xbox effectively reduces that easy money source for the company. Xbox owners who wish to observe the boycott can purchase used physical copies of the games where available or switch to another platform temporarily.\n\nWhile this story is primarily about PC Gamer, it's essential to note that the Xbox doesn't exist for many readers. They might not have even seen one up close. The focus is on Chessmaster 9000 played on a second monitor as readers continue to enjoy their gaming experiences. Nevertheless, fans of TowerFall and Celeste can easily find them on other platforms like Steam.",
  "summary": "Director of both games, Maddy Thorson, confirmed the intent on BlueSky.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Rock Paper Shotgun",
        "title": "Celeste and TowerFall have been removed from the Xbox store in a move to \"support the BDS boycott\" against Microsoft",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/29/celeste-and-towerfall-have-been-removed-from-the-xbox-store-in-a-move",
        "published": "2026-10-29T17:49:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "GamesIndustry",
        "title": "Maddy Makes Games removes Celeste and TowerFall from Xbox in support of pro-Palestinian BDS boycott",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/maddy-makes-games-removes-celeste-and-towerfall-from-xbox-in-support",
        "published": "2026-10-30T12:10:27.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}