Celeste and TowerFall Removed from Xbox as Developer Maddy Thorson Cites BDS Boycott

Indie game developer Maddy Thorson has pulled the acclaimed platformer Celeste and the multiplayer hit TowerFall from Xbox platforms. Thorson, who uses they/them pronouns, confirmed the removal in a public statement, linking the decision to the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. This move affects two widely celebrated indie titles: Celeste, which won Indie Game of the Year at the 2018 Game Awards, and TowerFall, a beloved local multiplayer game. The games will no longer be available for purchase on Xbox consoles, though they remain on other platforms such as PC, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch. Thorson's decision highlights the growing intersection between video game development and political activism. By removing their games from Xbox, Thorson is taking a stand against what they view as corporate complicity in human rights issues. This action could influence other indie developers to consider similar boycotts. For Xbox players, it means losing access to two highly regarded games, and it raises questions about how platforms respond to politically motivated content removals. The move underscores the power individual developers hold in shaping the industry's social and political landscape.