This week, the gaming world witnessed a historic moment as French game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 swept the prestigious Game Awards, setting a new record with nine wins out of thirteen nominations. This remarkable achievement not only highlights the talent of Montpellier-based developer Sandfall Interactive but also marks a significant milestone for the French gaming industry, as it is the first time a French title has claimed the coveted Game of the Year award.

In a surprising turn of events, indie developer Vedinad has decided to withdraw their game, Megabonk, from The Game Awards after feeling that it was incorrectly nominated for the Best Debut Indie Game category. Vedinad, who has previously developed games under different studio names, believes that their past work disqualifies Megabonk from being considered a debut title. This decision raises important questions about the criteria for nominations in gaming awards. The Game Awards aims to celebrate fresh talent and innovation in the industry, but how do we define a ‘debut’?