Indie studio Speculative Agency, currently developing “All Will Rise,” a narrative deck-building game focused on ordinary individuals holding powerful figures accountable for ecological destruction, has made the significant decision to return funding from Xbox and Microsoft to support the No Games For Genocide initiative.

In a recent statement, Speculative Agency acknowledged the difficulty of this choice. Like many independent developers, they are constantly seeking funding opportunities. They had previously received financial support from Microsoft as part of a developer acceleration program established in 2025. This decision involves asking Microsoft to terminate their contract while navigating the challenge of compensating for the lost funding during a time when financial backing is scarce in the industry. Additionally, stepping away from this funding means missing out on exposure to Xbox’s vast player base, increasing their financial risk and limiting their audience.

The team also contemplated the political implications of their decision. Their game tackles themes of corporate greed and environmental devastation, prompting them to consider whether participating in corporate platforms that contribute to the planet’s destruction aligns with their values. They ultimately felt that the urgency and significance of the No Games For Genocide movement, which aims to pressure Microsoft to stop supporting actions linked to the genocide in Israel, outweighed their concerns.

Meghna Jayanth, the narrative director for “All Will Rise,” known for her contributions to Inkle’s “80 Days” and the recent skate-dating game “Thirsty Suitors,” elaborated in an email that Microsoft had been understanding about their need to break the contract, though the specifics are still being finalized. While she could not disclose the anticipated funding gap for “All Will Rise” due to confidentiality, the pressure on their ongoing Kickstarter campaign has understandably increased.

The game, as described on Kickstarter, is a unique blend of strategic role-playing and deck-building set in a fictionalized Kerala, India, revolving around taking billionaires to court for environmental destruction with both light-hearted and darker narrative elements. A demo is presently available on Steam.

Jayanth expressed hope that their bold step could inspire others to recognize the impact of their voices, regardless of their perceived power. She urged indie developers to join the No Games For Genocide movement, emphasizing that while making such choices can be challenging—such as sacrificing potential revenue from Xbox and declining Microsoft’s funding—it is important to acknowledge that their collective actions can lead to significant change.

She encouraged fellow indie developers, gamers, tech workers, and even Microsoft employees who oppose the company’s leadership decisions to leverage their collective power for change. Despite feelings of outrage and helplessness in the face of injustice, Jayanth believes that by joining forces, they can create a more significant impact.

For those interested in understanding more about the boycott and Microsoft’s connections to military actions, a comprehensive video by People Make Games offers insightful information on the topic.