Celeste and TowerFall dev explains why both games were suddenly delisted from Xbox
Indie developer Maddy Thorson announced that Celeste and TowerFall have been intentionally delisted from Xbox in support of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which aims to protest companies linked to or supporting Israel’s government.
Microsoft, which owns Xbox, appears on the BDS list due to its partnership with Israel. Thorson confirmed the removal on Bluesky, stating: “For those who’re asking, yes we delisted Celeste and TowerFall on Xbox. We did this to support the BDS boycott.”
This move aligns Maddy Makes Games with other independent developers who have taken similar action. Recent titles removed from Xbox in support of BDS include Luck be a Landlord, Ice Water, All Will Rise, and Big Walk (by House House), indicating a growing pattern of developer activism regarding geopolitical issues.
The sudden disappearance of both games from Xbox’s marketplace was noticed by players before Thorson’s statement. The removal marks a continuation of broader industry conversations about developer autonomy, platform relationships, and the use of publishing decisions as a form of political expression.