Megabonk Withdraws From The Game Awards 2025 Best Debut Indie Nomination
- Sagar Mankar
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Megabonk has officially withdrawn from The Game Awards 2025 after being nominated for Best Debut Indie Game. The decision came directly from the game’s developer, who explained that the nomination didn’t feel appropriate given his past work in the industry.
Megabonk launched in September 2025 to strong reception, and just weeks later it was announced as part of the Best Debut Indie lineup on November 17. The category is meant to highlight first‑time indie releases, but the developer, known online as Vedinad, told fans he couldn’t accept the nomination in good faith.
In a post on Twitter/X, he wrote: “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.”
It’s not easy to step back from recognition, especially when the nomination itself was a big deal. According to Geoff Keighley, creator of The Game Awards, Megabonk will be removed from the ballot following the developer’s request. Keighley added that the team respected the decision and didn’t want to take recognition away from other debut studios, even though Megabonk itself is “an outstanding game.”
The updated list of nominees now includes Blue Prince, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Despelote, and Dispatch. Each of these titles represents a studio’s first major release, though the definition of “debut indie” has always been a little fuzzy. We’ve seen similar debates before, like Dave the Diver being nominated for Best Indie in 2023 despite being backed by Nexon, or Sifu being placed in Best Fighting Game despite being more of an action brawler.
Regardless, Megabonk’s removal marks the first time a nomination has been revoked at The Game Awards.