“We Are Not Eligible”: Developer Voluntarily Pulls His Game from The Game Awards 2025 After Controversy
A new controversy shakes the Game Awards once again, as questions rise over the true meaning of “independent” and “debut” categories.
Every year, The Game Awards face criticism over opaque nomination rules. The 2025 edition is no exception, with several listings prompting confusion among players and developers alike. A recent case, however, stands out due to the surprising decision of a nominee to voluntarily withdraw.
Discover which are the nominees for each Category of The Game Awards 2025!
A Veteran Competing Among Newcomers
In a statement published on Tuesday, November 18, the creator of the hit game Megabonk announced his intention to pull the title from the Debut Indie Game category. The developer explained that, although Megabonk is the first release attributed to the studio name “Vedinad,” he has created several games in the past under different aliases. As a result, he believes the nomination contradicts the spirit of the category intended for true newcomers.
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 — Megabonk (@MegabonkGame) November 18, 2025
Megabonk: A Breakout Success With Experienced Roots
Released in September 2025, Megabonk quickly captured attention thanks to a simple yet compelling concept: bringing the addictive gameplay style of Vampire Survivors into a full 3D environment.
Although the Steam page credits only “Vedinad,” the developer openly acknowledges having already produced multiple projects under various pseudonyms. This raises a dilemma—Megabonk is technically a debut title for the studio name, but far from the first project of its creator. A closer look at the situation reveals a recurring inconsistency across awards ceremonies: the gap between formal eligibility criteria and the original intention behind category design.
In Conclusion: The Spirit Behind the Debut Indie Game Category
Vedinad’s withdrawal opens a broader debate regarding the purpose of debut-focused awards. While the strict definition allows any studio’s first release to qualify, the category is designed to highlight emerging developers taking their first steps in the industry. This framework aims to ensure that anticipated sequels, such as Hades 2 or Hollow Knight: Silkson, do not overshadow brand-new creators who made a strong impact in their inaugural year.
The Game Awards, through founder Geoff Keighley, publicly acknowledged and respected the developer’s choice, commending the transparency behind it. What’s your opinion? Should studios self-regulate to preserve fairness, or should award organizers enforce stricter rules?
A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !
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It was most certainly made by Dani the YouTuber behind Karlson who hasn't done anything with his real channel for awhile. Such he hid behind a new backwards name of his channel to make Megabonk and I doubt he wants to be outed as a fraud for making megabonk and taking am award he definitely didn't qualify for as a first debut as it's a lie.