Megabonk Rejoins The Game Awards Race Through Players' Voice Vote

Megabonk on The Game Awards has taken an unexpected turn. Two weeks after developer Vedinad removed the game from the Best Debut Indie category, the studio’s breakout hit is back as a contender in Players’ Voice, the only fully fan-voted segment of the show. The move returns the game to the awards cycle at a moment when its profile remains high.

Megabonk sells a million copies in two weeks, placing it among the most visible indie releases of the year. Vedinad announced the return with a burst of enthusiasm on X, telling followers the game had been nominated for the Players’ Voice vote and encouraging participation. The nomination arrives after the developer voluntarily stepped away from its previous category, saying the entry did not fit the criteria for a debut release. Public voting for Players’ Voice begins with a field of 30 titles and narrows through three rounds until a single winner emerges.

The path will be difficult. The Players’ Voice slate is packed with some of the year’s most prominent releases and established live service games, many of which command large, mobilized audiences. Arc Raiders, Elden Ring Nightreign, Hades 2, Sonic Racing: Crossworlds, Fortnite, and Helldivers 2 anchor a list dominated by global hits. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, already the most-nominated game in the show’s history, also appears again, alongside Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Doom: The Dark Ages, and several long-running franchises.

Megabonk enters this field as a smaller production with strong grassroots momentum. Its rapid sales surge placed it on year-end charts within days of release. Its earlier withdrawal from Best Debut Indie drew attention for its unusual transparency. Vedinad said the game could not be considered a debut because previous titles had been released under other studio names. That stance contrasted with the flexible boundaries that often define the “indie” and “debut” labels in an industry shaped by shifting teams and studio identities.

The decision sparked comparisons to earlier disputes over category definitions, including debates around what qualifies as an independent production when developers operate under large publishers or established corporate structures. In Megabonk’s case, the withdrawal closed the matter before the awards committee had to determine eligibility. Host Geoff Keighley later noted that Vedinad had contacted organizers directly to clarify their background as an established solo developer. The game was then removed from the debut list with no contention.

Players’ Voice operates independently of the show’s jury system. The primary awards use a weighted structure of 90 percent jury votes and 10 percent fan input. The separate Players’ Voice ballot removes jury involvement entirely, relying solely on public participation. That structure favors games with significant communities capable of organizing around voting windows, which can tilt results toward live service titles or major franchises with large, active user bases.

Megabonk’s odds remain long against such a slate, but its nomination underscores its current reach. The game’s mix of fast action, roguelike progression, and a distinct visual identity has helped it stand out in a crowded year. Its momentum also reflects a growing audience interest in smaller titles that earn attention through word-of-mouth rather than established branding. Whether that can translate into a deep run in a large-scale public vote will become clear soon. The Game Awards 2025 will take place on December 11, leaving little time for campaigns to build.

Read also, Megabonk review. Fast-paced 3D bullet hell which expands on the game’s vertical movement, biome structure, and combat flow, and highlights how its exploration and resource management shape each run.