Megabonk Developer Withdraws From The Game Awards

Megabonk is one of 2025’s breakout indie titles, so much so that it earned itself a nomination for Best Debut Indie for this year’s Game Awards. However, the game’s solo developer has announced he will withdraw from the awards show.

Developer Vedinad explained on social media yesterday that he’s worked on other games under different studio names, which disqualifies him for the Best Debut Indie nomination. You can read his full message below.

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

The Game Awards organizer and host Geoff Keighley acknowledged Vedinad’s clarification on social media, and Megabonk has been officially removed from the running. It has not been replaced with a new nominee, so Best Debut Indie is now a four-way race between Blue Prince, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Despelote, and Dispatch. 

Megabonk was released on PC on September 18 and is a 3D action roguelike heavily inspired by Vampire Survivors. The game has become a viral hit, garnering positive reviews from critics and a “Very Positive” Steam user rating. 

For more on The Game Awards 2025, you can read the full (and updated) list of nominees here.