Origame Digital Blocks Penguin Colony Sale in Israel to Demonstrate Solidarity With Palestine
Developer Origame Digital and publisher Fellow Traveller have blocked their new game, Penguin Colony, from being sold in Israel. Publisher Fellow Traveller stated in a Steam community thread that the restriction was requested by the developer as an act intended to demonstrate solidarity with Palestine in the absence of more organised sanctions. The game includes a post-credits message referencing the games industry and the situation in Palestine, alongside a land acknowledgement statement at its start.
Key points
- Origame Digital and Fellow Traveller blocked Penguin Colony from sale in Israel.
- Publisher Fellow Traveller confirmed the regional sales block in a Steam community thread.
- The game features a post-credits message addressing the games industry and Palestine.
- Penguin Colony is currently available on PC, with console editions planned for 2027.
What happened
Origame Digital, the studio behind Umurangi Generation, has released a new Lovecraftian horror game titled Penguin Colony and blocked it from being sold in Israel. Publisher Fellow Traveller confirmed the restriction in a Steam community thread after a user inquired if the game had been delisted.
Fellow Traveller stated that while they generally seek to bring games to as many players as possible, developers have the right to control where their titles are sold. The publisher explained that the block is intended to demonstrate solidarity with Palestine in the absence of more organised sanctions, adding that they fully support the decision.
Context
The game itself reinforces the studio's stance through a post-credits message. According to the source material, the message reads that the cowardice of the games industry during what it describes as an ongoing genocide of Palestine by Israel will be recorded by the art it makes. Additionally, Penguin Colony features a land acknowledgement statement at its start, noting that the game was made on Wurundjeri Woiwurrung land.
Penguin Colony places players in the role of a penguin whose home is invaded by rival human factions searching for an ancient being. The title is currently available on PC, with console editions planned for 2027.
What's next
Penguin Colony is currently available on PC, and console editions are planned for release in 2027.
Why it matters
Origame Digital and Fellow Traveller blocked Penguin Colony from sale in Israel to demonstrate solidarity with Palestine.
What we know
- Origame Digital and Fellow Traveller blocked the game Penguin Colony from being sold in Israel.
- Publisher Fellow Traveller confirmed the sales block in a Steam community thread.
- Penguin Colony features a post-credits message addressing the situation in Palestine.
- The game is currently available on PC, with console editions planned for 2027.
How the story developed
Penguin Colony blocked from sale in Israel
Eurogamer reported that Origame Digital and Fellow Traveller blocked Penguin Colony from being sold in Israel.
Original source
