Roguelike Superstar Pulls Out of The Game Awards Over Megabonk Debut Dispute, as Fans Urge Solo Dev to Confront the Indie Category Backed by Multibillion-Dollar Giants

Here is something you do not see during awards season: someone voluntarily bowing out. The solo dev behind breakout indie roguelike Megabonk just pulled the game from The Game Awards, and did it for the most unfashionable reason in the biz — principle.

What happened

On November 18, the developer who goes by John Megabonk online (also known as Vedinad, aka vedinad) posted on Twitter that they were withdrawing Megabonk from The Game Awards' Debut Indie Game category.

"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.'"

The reason was straightforward: they have shipped games before under different studio names, which means Megabonk is not technically a debut — and they do not want to take a slot from teams who truly are.

The Game Awards response

Geoff Keighley confirmed in his own Twitter post that Megabonk has been removed from the Debut Indie Game list. He framed the developer as an established solo creator who had been presenting himself as new, and said John will share more when they are ready. Keighley also emphasized that he respects the decision not to take recognition away from first-time teams.

The part that set people off

Fans immediately pushed back on whether this is what fairness looks like in 2025. One reply — sitting at nearly 3,000 likes as of now — snarked: "Wait until you hear about 'indie' games in the indie category that are backed by multi-billion-dollar corps."

Who else is in the Debut Indie Game mix

• Dispatch — a superhero drama from AdHoc Studios. AdHoc is independent, but not a basement setup; think a full team, celebrity cameos, and long credit rolls.
• Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 — a French JRPG from Sandfall Interactive. Also independent, also a sizable operation; the game landed a milestone 12 nominations overall across the show.

So yes, everyone is technically indie here — just not indie in the one-person-and-a-laptop sense. That tension is the real story under the story.

Megabonk's stance (and a classy exit)

John stuck to the call and kept it gracious, telling fans "you should vote for another one of the amazing debut titles, they are all amazing games!" and teasing, "thanks again! new megabonk update coming soon."

Meanwhile, the game is popping off

Megabonk hit a new player record over the weekend, even charting higher than Call of Duty, Borderlands 4, and Marvel Rivals. Not bad for one person, a roguelike, and a very public case of doing the right thing the hard way.