The creator of the indie hit Megabonk has voluntarily withdrawn the game from The Game Awards 2025 after its nomination for Best Debut Indie Game.
The decision came directly from the developer, known online as “Vedinad” or “John Megabonk,” who clarified that the game does not meet the requirements of the specific category of The Game Awards because it is not their first released project.
The announcement was shared through the official Megabonk Twitter account, where the developer wrote: “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’.”
They went on to explain the reason, saying, “I’ve made games in the past under different studio names, so Megabonk is not my debut game.”
The Best Debut Indie Game category is reserved for studios releasing their first title in 2025. Even though Megabonk is presented under a new studio identity, the developer’s past releases make it ineligible. The creator stressed the importance of fairness, telling fans, “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!”
Geoff Keighley, the host and pioneer of The Game Awards, confirmed the withdrawal and praised the developer’s integrity. He posted, “@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.”
Keighley added that the team appreciated the honesty and that Megabonk would be removed from the category, emphasizing that the developer did not want to take recognition away from true first-time studios.
While Megabonk will no longer compete for Best Debut Indie Game at The Game Awards, the developer’s transparency has earned widespread respect throughout the indie community, reinforcing the game’s positive reputation despite stepping away from the award category.
The Game Awards 2025 nominees for Best Debut Indie Game
With Megabonk officially withdrawn, the Best Debut Indie Game category at The Game Awards 2025 now features four titles, each representing the first major release from its respective development team.
Blue Prince enters the category as a debut project aiming to make its mark. At the same time, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 joins the list with historic momentum after earning 12 nominations, the most ever recorded in a single year at the event. Despelote also continues to draw attention as another first-time indie contender, while Dispatch joins the lineup as an episodic adventure built by the team at AdHoc Studios, a group formed by former Telltale developers releasing their first project under this new banner.
With the nominee pool reduced from five games to four, each remaining studio gains a clearer path toward winning the award, making the 2025 competition even more compelling for indie fans and industry watchers.
The Game Awards 2025 will stream live on Dec. 11, giving players worldwide the opportunity to participate in the voting process. Fans can submit their picks by logging into TheGameAwards.com through Google, X, Facebook, or Twitch.
The final results are determined through a combined system in which fan voting contributes 10 percent of the outcome, while a jury of more than 100 media outlets determines the remaining 90 percent. Selections can be updated at any time until voting officially closes, allowing viewers to follow the conversation and refine their choices as the event approaches.
