Steam developer releases roguelike survival game Megabonk was nominated on Monday for Best Debut Indie Game by The Game Awards. On Tuesday, the developer, known only as vedinad, said he was leaving. Megabonk from the controversy, stating that “unfortunately, I don't think it fits that category.”
On Megabonk X accountvedinad (aka “John Megabonk”) wrote about the game's exclusion from this year's awards, further explaining his reasoning.
“It is an honor and a dream for Megabonk nominated for a TGA, but unfortunately I don't think it qualifies for the Debut Indie Game category,” the developer said in a post posted My city. “I used to make games under different studio names, so Megabonk This is not my debut game. I really appreciate the nomination, support and votes, but it seems out of place in this category. you should vote for another amazing debut game, they are all amazing games!”
According to The Game Awards host Geoff Keighley, the best debut indie game “recognizes a development team that has not previously won a Game Award.” Eligible teams have “posted their first games of the year,” Keighley said during a livestream of the nominations announcement on Monday. Game Awards website describes the category as “the best debut game from a new independent studio.”
The developer known as vedinad only has one game under this Steam developer account: Megabonk. Vedinad has not publicly revealed what other games he has played in. Vedinad's identity has been the source of intense speculation, with one frequently published theory being that he Dani (aka Danidev), popular YouTuber and game developer. Crab game (A Squid game-like) and Mook (survival roguelike).
Soon after Vedinad left Megabonknomination, Kaylee replied to X say that the developer's request has been satisfied. “We are grateful to him for his honesty. As a result, MegaBonk will be excluded from the category,” Keighley wrote.
The Game Awards 2025 will take place on December 11th.minus one Megabonk.
Update: This story has been updated to reflect that The Game Awards will honor vedinad's removal request Megabonk from consideration.
