Celeste and TowerFall Developer Explains Why Games Were Abruptly Delisted from Xbox

Independent developer Maddy Thorson confirmed that Celeste and TowerFall were removed from Xbox to support the BDS boycott against Microsoft over its investments and involvement with the Israeli government.

Developer Action and Platform Status

• Removed Titles: Celeste (released in 2018) and TowerFall (released in 2013) are no longer available for purchase on Xbox.
• Alternative Platforms: Both games remain available on other platforms, including PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch.
• Stated Reason: Developer Maddy Thorson stated on Bluesky that the delisting was done in support of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.

Broader Industry Context

• Previous Boycotts: Earlier in the fall, the co-op adventure game Big Walk chose not to release on Xbox, citing the same BDS boycott call regarding Microsoft's ties.
• Movement Goals: The BDS movement targets companies involved with or invested in the Israeli government amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.
• Microsoft Response: Microsoft provided a statement to media regarding a separate investigation into the alleged use of its technologies by the Israeli Ministry of Defense, outlining governance steps through its integrity portal.

Practical Implications and Verification

• Player Impact: Players who already own Celeste or TowerFall on Xbox may still be able to access them according to standard digital storefront policies, but new purchases on the platform are currently halted.
• Verification: Players can verify game availability directly on the official Xbox digital storefront or consult official statements posted by developer Maddy Thorson on verified social media channels like Bluesky.