In a bold move that has sent ripples through the gaming community, indie developer Ice Water Games has pulled their open-world RPG, Tenderfoot Tactics, from the Xbox digital storefront. This decision aligns with the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which recently added Microsoft to its list of boycotted entities.
Tenderfoot Tactics, a game that invites players into a mystical world of goblin tactics, had been available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch since February 21, 2024. The game had garnered a "very positive" rating on Steam, reflecting its warm reception among players.
The BDS movement's call to boycott Microsoft stems from the company's provision of Azure cloud and AI services to the Israeli government. These services are alleged to play a significant role in Israel's military operations in Gaza. During a July 2024 presentation at the "IT for IDF" conference, Colonel Racheli Dembinsky of the Israeli Defense Forces highlighted the operational effectiveness gained through partnerships with cloud companies, including Microsoft Azure.
Ice Water Games' decision to remove Tenderfoot Tactics from Xbox is a rare instance of a game developer taking a public stand in support of the BDS movement. The studio expressed hope that Microsoft would reconsider its business engagements with the Israeli military, urging the broader community to join in the pressure campaign to end occupation and apartheid in Palestine.
The gaming industry's response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict has been notably muted compared to other global issues. For instance, while companies swiftly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the ongoing situation in Gaza has elicited less vocal opposition. This disparity has drawn criticism from various quarters, including members of The Game Awards' Future Class program, who have called for the industry to address the systemic dehumanization of Palestinians in video games. (jgeekstudies.org)
The silence from major gaming companies contrasts sharply with the actions of smaller studios like Ice Water Games. Their decision to remove Tenderfoot Tactics from Xbox is not just a statement but a challenge to the industry at large to reflect on its role and responsibilities in global conflicts.
In the broader context, the BDS movement has called for consumers to cancel Xbox Game Pass subscriptions and boycott flagship Microsoft franchises such as Candy Crush, Minecraft, and Call of Duty. These actions aim to pressure Microsoft into reevaluating its business relationships that are perceived to support military operations in occupied territories.
The intersection of gaming and geopolitics is becoming increasingly complex. As games continue to be a significant cultural force, the decisions made by developers and companies resonate beyond the screen. Ice Water Games' stand is a reminder that even in the realm of fantasy and entertainment, real-world issues are ever-present, and the choices made by those in the industry can contribute to broader conversations about ethics, responsibility, and solidarity.
As the gaming community grapples with these issues, the actions of developers like Ice Water Games may inspire others to consider the impact of their platforms and the messages they choose to amplify or silence. In a world where digital realms often mirror real-world complexities, the line between play and politics continues to blur, challenging all stakeholders to navigate these waters with care and conscience.
Source: Polygon Indie dev removes goblin tactics game from Xbox in solidarity with pro-Palestine boycott
