The gaming world was taken by surprise when Vedinad, the creator of the game Megabonk, decided to withdraw his title from The Game Awards. This move came despite its nomination for Best Debut Indie Game — a category he believes the game does not rightfully fit.
In an official statement on social media, Vedinad expressed his gratitude for the nomination but explained his reasoning:
“I’m withdrawing from The Game Awards.
“It’s an honor and a dream for Megabonk to be nominated for TGA, but unfortunately i don’t think it qualifies for the category ‘Debut Indie Game’
“I’ve made games in the past under different studio names, so Megabonk is not my debut game 🥸
“i really appreciate the nomination, support and votes, but it doesn’t feel right in this category. you should vote for another one of the amazing debut titles, they are all amazing games!
“thanks again! new megabonk update coming soon ✌️”
Megabonk’s Nomination Withdrawal
Update 2.23pm PT: Megabonk was initially listed alongside other nominees like Blue Prince, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Despelote, and Dispatch. Following Vedinad’s statement, the creator of The Game Awards, Geoff Keighley, acknowledged the withdrawal request, noting that Megabonk would be removed from the list. At the time of the update, the game was still visible as a nominee on The Game Awards website.
“@MegabonkGame, a nominee for Best Debut Indie Game, reached out to clarify that he is an established solo developer who had been presenting himself as a new creator under the name Vedinad.
“We’re grateful for his honesty. As a result, MegaBonk will be removed from the category.
“He’ll share more about his story when he’s ready, but we respect that he didn’t want to take recognition away from other debut teams — even though the game itself is outstanding.”
The Complexity of Award Categories
The Best Debut Indie category is designed to spotlight the “best debut game created by a new independent studio.” However, defining a new, independent studio can be tricky, as game development teams often evolve and rebrand over time. For example, Dispatch by AdHoc Studio is a first original game from a team built by former Ubisoft and Telltale developers. Similarly, Cocoon, which won Debut Indie in 2023, was crafted by former Playdead developers. Yet, many first games never make it to The Game Awards since they often begin as small, experimental projects.
Vedinad’s decision is more understandable as he operates as a solo developer, having contributed to various projects under different names. Nonetheless, support from individuals like Miguel Angel for the OST and Giovanni Fim for the Steam art showcases that even solo developers rarely work entirely alone. This raises the question: what truly defines a game studio?
Debates Over Award Definitions
The current situation with Megabonk is just one example of the ongoing debate regarding The Game Awards’ category definitions. In 2023, the inclusion of Dave the Diver in the Best Indie category, despite its development by a subsidiary of Nexon, prompted discussions on the true meaning of “indie.” Similarly, Sifu was nominated for Best Fighting Game in 2022, and this year, Monster Hunter Wilds stirred conversation by being listed as best RPG.
Regardless of how categories are defined, Vedinad has made his position clear, and Geoff Keighley has responded accordingly. For those interested, a comprehensive list of the 2025 nominees is available, and readers can also explore early reviews of Megabonk.