CeoTelechaje 
Maddy Thorson has confirmed the removal was intentional, citing Microsoft’s ties to Israel.
Celeste and TowerFall have been quietly removed from the Xbox storefront, and developer Maddy Thorson says it was no accident.
In a post on Bluesky earlier this week, Thorson confirmed that both games were delisted from Xbox in support of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement, which aims to protest companies linked to or supporting Israel’s government during the genocide in Palestine.
“For those who’re asking, yes we delisted Celeste and TowerFall on Xbox. We did this to support the BDS boycott.”
Why Xbox?
Xbox’s inclusion on the BDS boycott list stems from Microsoft’s partnership with Israel and its prison system, according to BDS itself. The company has provided Israel with use of its Azure Cloud and AI systems, which have been used consistently over the past few years in the ongoing subjugation of Palestinians.
BDS has urged people to:
· Cancel their Game Pass subscriptions
· Boycott leading Xbox franchises, including Call of Duty and Candy Crush
· Cease purchases of Microsoft gaming products
As of now, Celeste and TowerFall are completely unavailable for purchase within the Xbox ecosystem. Both games remain available on PlayStation, PC, and Nintendo Switch.
Not the First
Thorson’s decision follows a growing trend of developers taking a stand.
Just a few weeks ago, House House (developer of Big Walk) released a statement noting that its game is not on Xbox because of Microsoft’s ties to Israel. The developer of Tenderfoot Tactics made a similar move in 2025.
“We would love for people to be able to play the game on Xbox, but not until Microsoft and/or Xbox have been removed as BDS boycott targets. We’ve made this decision with the belief that meaningful change can be made in the world, that coordinated collective action can confront even the most powerful interests, and that one day, Palestine will be free.”
Microsoft’s Response
Microsoft has previously acknowledged that it supplied AI technology to Israel’s Ministry of Defense, but claims there is “no evidence” it has been used to “target or harm people in the conflict in Gaza.”
Various reports, however, refute this claim.
The Bottom Line
Celeste and TowerFall are beloved indie classics — Celeste in particular is widely regarded as one of the best platformers of the last decade. Their removal from Xbox is a significant statement from Thorson, and one that aligns with a broader movement within the games industry to hold platform holders accountable for their ties to Israel.
For players who already own the games on Xbox, they remain playable. But for anyone looking to purchase them on Microsoft’s console,that option is no longer available.
What do you think about developers delisting their games in support of BDS? Let us know in the comments.
