By Integrity – characterized as ethical strength, or the decision to withdraw your cherished indie roguelike from The Game Awards nominations. Supporters are imploring the alias Megabonk solo creator John Megabonk, or Vedinad, to reconsider, but Mr. Bonk remains unmoved.
“I am withdrawing from The Game Awards,” they declared on Twitter in a post dated November 18. “It’s a privilege and a dream for Megabonk to be selected for TGA, but regrettably, I don’t believe it qualifies for the ‘Debut Indie Game’ category.” Other contenders in the Debut Indie Game category encompass superhero tale Dispatch and French JRPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which has achieved a record-setting total of 12 nominations.
However – fans contend – does opting out of The Game Awards truly reflect fairness? “Just wait until you hear about ‘indie’ games in the indie category that are financed by multi-billion-dollar corporations,” remarks one comment on Mr. Megabonk’s post, which has garnered nearly 3,000 likes at the time of writing.
Both Dispatch developer AdHoc Studios and Clair Obscur studio Sandfall Interactive are undoubtedly independent studios – but not in the manner that “indie” implies “do-it-yourself” in the basement. Both AdHoc and Sandfall are significantly larger enterprises than Megabonk’s, seemingly, one individual at a computer. Both Dispatch and Clair Obscur showcase celebrity appearances, hundreds of names in their credits, and likely the studio resources to realize these achievements.
Nevertheless, Megabonk advocates for principles. It embodies unblemished sincerity. “You ought to support another one of the outstanding debut titles; they are all remarkable games!” the developer concludes. “Thanks once more! A new Megabonk update is on the horizon.”