Megabonk creator withdraws from the game awards after debut indie nomination

Megabonk’s developer has withdrawn the game from the game awards, saying it does not qualify for Best Debut Indie

The solo developer behind Megabonk has withdrawn the game from the game awards after it was nominated for Best Debut Indie. The title, released in September 2025, was included in the category when the full list of nominees was revealed on November 17.

A day later, the creator announced that the nomination was not appropriate due to his previous experience. The Best Debut Indie category is intended to highlight first-time independent releases, and the developer said his past work meant Megabonk did not meet the intended criteria.

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

He explained that he had previously made games under other studio names. “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.”

Following the announcement, the game awards host Geoff Keighley clarified the situation on X. Keighley said the creator had been “presenting himself as a new creator under the name Vedinad,” but had released earlier projects under different identities.

.@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. pic.twitter.com/mTR5lmMubb

— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) November 18, 2025

Keighley added that Megabonk had been removed from the category and said the decision was respected, noting that the developer did not want to take recognition away from first-time teams.

“He’ll share more about his story when he’s ready,” Keighley said, adding that the game itself had been well received.

The remaining nominees for Best Debut Indie are Blue Prince, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Despelote and Dispatch. The game awards has not confirmed whether the ballot will be updated to include a fifth title.