All Will Rise Developers Cancel Microsoft Deal to Join No Games For Genocide Boycott
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
The creators of the deckbuilder All Will Rise have returned Microsoft funding and canceled their Xbox release to join the No Games For Genocide boycott over the tech giant's military ties.
The independent team behind the anti-capitalist deckbuilder All Will Rise has officially pulled out of a funding agreement with Microsoft, cutting ties with the platform and joining the growing No Games For Genocide boycott. Speculative Agency announced they are returning financial support secured through a 2025 developer accelerator program and will no longer release their upcoming game on Xbox platforms. The boycott centers on Microsoft's provision of Azure cloud and generative AI services to the Israeli military, drawing widespread scrutiny from international human rights organizations and independent developers alike.
All Will Rise, which features narrative direction from industry veteran Meghna Jayanth, tasks players with managing a legal team to sue a billionaire for the murder of a river god inside the fantastical city of Muziris. Walking away from financial backing and a major console ecosystem is a massive gamble for an indie studio, especially in a current climate where funding opportunities are scarce. In statements shared with Rock Paper Shotgun and on social platforms, the developers acknowledged the heightened financial risk and smaller player pool they now face. However, the team emphasized that standing against the commercialization of military technology and human suffering outweighed commercial concerns.
Jayanth noted that the decision carries deep personal weight, pointing to the interconnected nature of global surveillance and military technology. The developers are joining other studios who have previously aligned with the Palestinian-led Boycott Divest Sanctions campaign to protest corporate complicity in conflict zones. While Microsoft has restricted access to certain technologies, the tech giant has not severed its business relationships entirely. For independent creators navigating tight budgets, this high-profile departure highlights how modern game development, player communities, and sociopolitical activism increasingly intersect outside of virtual spaces.
Tags: Indie Games, Microsoft, Industry News, Xbox, Culture
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun