Ethan Crossfield 
Xbox players waiting for Big Walk should not expect an imminent port. Developer House House has confirmed that the acclaimed co-op game is absent from Microsoft’s console because the studio is supporting the BDS movement’s boycott of Microsoft and Xbox. The developer says an Xbox release remains possible, but only if Microsoft or Xbox is no longer listed as a priority boycott target.
What changed for Big Walk's Xbox release
House House has publicly addressed the question surrounding Big Walk’s missing Xbox version. The Australian developer said it chose not to release the game on the platform in support of BDS, the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement. BDS lists Microsoft and its gaming divisions, including Xbox, among its priority boycott targets. The campaign points to Microsoft’s work with the Israeli military, including allegations involving AI services and surveillance technology used on Palestinians. House House said its decision was driven by a belief that studios can help create meaningful change through their actions. This marks a different approach from the developer’s previous Xbox support: Untitled Goose Game was released on the platform.
Who is affected by the platform decision
The immediate impact falls on Xbox players, who currently have no way to play Big Walk through the Xbox ecosystem. The game launched in August 2026 on PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and PlayStation 5, and it was included in PlayStation Plus during August. Publisher Panic indicated that Big Walk reached one million sales in six days, with PS Plus downloads excluded from that figure. Its 12-player cooperative format has attracted strong critical attention, and the game holds a 91 Metacritic score according to the source. That reception has put it in the wider Game of the Year conversation, making the Xbox absence more visible than it might be for a smaller release.
What would need to happen next
House House has not ruled out bringing Big Walk to Xbox permanently. However, the studio attached a clear condition: Microsoft or Xbox would need to be removed from BDS’s priority boycott target list. As long as that status remains unchanged, the developer appears set to keep the game off the platform. The situation also follows a broader pattern of BDS-related pressure on Microsoft’s games business. Earlier in 2025, indie title Tenderfoot Tactics was delisted from Xbox in support of the movement, while Microsoft employees have also protested the company’s involvement with Israel. Whether other developers follow House House’s example remains uncertain.
What players should know
- Big Walk is available on PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and PlayStation 5, but not Xbox.
- The game’s Xbox absence is a deliberate boycott decision by House House, not a confirmed technical or scheduling issue.
- House House says it would consider an Xbox launch if Microsoft or Xbox is removed from BDS’s priority boycott list.
- Big Walk sold one million copies in six days, not including downloads through PlayStation Plus.
- Xbox players should treat a future port as conditional rather than announced.
Expert View
House House has given players a direct, unambiguous explanation, which is more useful than leaving the platform gap open to speculation. For Xbox users, though, the practical takeaway is simple: there is no announced release window and no indication that a port is close. Big Walk’s strong early sales and critical reception make it a notable omission, but the developer has made clear that its position is tied to an external condition rather than the game’s commercial prospects.
