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The Game Awards Faces Rare Withdrawal as Megabonk Dev Says ‘We Don’t Qualify’
November 19, 2025Megabonk’s nomination for Best Debut Indie Game at The Game Awards 2025 just hit an unexpected snag. The game’s creator, Vedinad, announced they’re pulling out of the running, arguing the nod doesn’t fit the definition of a debut, and it’s a move you almost never see at an event this big.
Vedinad, who developed the Vampire Survivors-style roguelike solo, broke the news on Tuesday directly to Megabonk’s fans. “I’m withdrawing from The Game Awards,” they wrote across social channels. “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.’”
That honesty stands out. Vedinad went further, writing, “I’ve made games in the past under different studio names, so Megabonk is not my debut game.” In a scene that often craves recognition, you rarely see someone stepping out of the spotlight like this.
‘Debut Indie’ Category Misfire?
The heart of the issue comes down to criteria. According to The Game Awards organizers, the Best Debut Indie Game award spotlights “an independent studio that produced and shipped its first game in 2025.” Megabonk was developed entirely by Vedinad but, as they’ve now clarified, it isn’t truly their first game.
At the time of the announcement, Megabonk was still officially listed on The Game Awards website as a nominee for Best Debut Indie Game. There’s no public statement yet from awards organizers about whether the withdrawal will be accepted or if a replacement nominee is on the way.
This situation is rare. The Game Awards is well known for its influential spotlight on the games industry, fans and studios campaign hard for a nomination. Seeing a creator voluntarily decline a spot in the lineup, especially for a major category, is almost unheard of. It also raises pointed questions about how industry events define, track, and enforce category eligibility, especially with so many solo developers and small studios swapping names or roles between projects.
Big Names, Big Numbers at The Game Awards
The drama around Megabonk’s nomination unfolds during what’s shaping up to be the most competitive Game Awards yet. Earlier this week, the full list of 2025 nominees was rolled out. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 topped the list, grabbing a record-breaking 12 nominations, making it the most recognized title in the event’s history.
Not far behind, PlayStation is flexing its muscles with heavy hitters Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and Ghost of Yotei, each pulling in eight nominations. Supergiant’s Hades 2 also stands tall, with six nods of its own.
Publishers are seeing the effects. Sony Interactive Entertainment leads the charge with 19 nominations total, more than any other company for 2024. Kepler Interactive follows with a strong 13, making this a standout year on both the developer and publisher side.
While all eyes are on the big studios and anticipated sequels, it’s this twist with Megabonk that’s likely to stick with many viewers. It puts a spotlight on how nominees are chosen, and the integrity some creators bring to the table, even if it means giving up a shot at a headline award.
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