Historic Game Awards moment: A nominated game is canceled again – a first in the event's history
Since their inception in 2014, The Game Awards have delivered plenty of memorable moments – from the unexpected appearance of the “Bill Clinton Kid” in 2022 to surprise live performances that often turn into meme-worthy highlights. Yet until now, there has never been a case of a nomination being withdrawn after the fact. This unusual situation concerns the 2025 Best Debut Indie Game category, where the indie title Megabonk was originally among the nominees.
Anyone hoping for a scandal behind the withdrawal will be disappointed – the reason is entirely uncontroversial. The developer of Megabonk realized that the game technically did not qualify for the category, as he had released titles under different studio names in the past. Instead of accepting the nomination, he chose to step back voluntarily. He announced the decision on X on November 18, and shortly afterward, Game Awards host Geoff Keighley confirmed it publicly.
The developer’s post on X received largely positive responses, with many praising his honesty and expressing even greater interest in buying the game. Still, not everyone agrees with the decision. Some argue that a new studio can legitimately count as a debut, even if its creator has released games before under different names. Others remain skeptical, suggesting the move might be a clever marketing tactic rather than a display of pure integrity.
Source(s)
MegabonkGame via X (formerly Twitter)
