Indie Deckbuilder "All Will Rise" Cuts Ties With Microsoft Over No Games For Genocide Campaign

Indie studio Speculative Agency has announced it is returning funding from Microsoft and joining the “No Games For Genocide” boycott, even though the decision could impact its upcoming deckbuilding RPG All Will Rise.

The game itself carries a strong political message. As noted by PC Gamer, All Will Rise is a deckbuilding RPG about taking revenge on the ultra-rich and billionaires destroying the world, making it openly anti-capitalist in tone.

However, the situation became complicated after the studio accepted funding from Microsoft through a developer acceleration program last year. According to the developer, the team was self-funded at the time and actively looking for financial support, which made the opportunity difficult to turn down.

Things changed when the studio learned about the No Games For Genocide campaign, a growing boycott movement criticizing Microsoft’s alleged links to military technologies and its relationship with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

In a statement, Speculative Agency said the team had internal discussions about whether they could participate in the boycott while still accepting Microsoft funding.

The problem was that joining the boycott would require breaking the contract and returning the funding, which could create serious financial challenges. The studio also risked losing access to Xbox’s large player base, potentially reducing the game’s reach and future revenue.

Despite those risks, the developers ultimately chose to support the boycott.

“The urgency of No Games For Genocide and its value as a growing movement… won out,” the studio said in its statement, adding that it hopes the movement can pressure companies to reconsider controversial partnerships.

Speculative Agency also acknowledged that many employees inside large companies may not agree with corporate decisions, and thanked Microsoft staff they had worked with for their understanding.

The studio ended its message with a call for other developers to join the boycott, saying that collective action across the industry could create meaningful change.

For now, the biggest impact is that All Will Rise will likely no longer launch on Xbox, despite earlier plans. The game still doesn’t have a confirmed release date, though a playable demo is available.

Meanwhile, the project’s Kickstarter campaign has already exceeded expectations, raising £27,585 so far — far above its £8,628 goal with several days still remaining.