Ava Brooks
Nov 29, 2023
Earlier this month, The Game Awards 2023 unveiled its roster of nominees, prompting both applause and debates within the gaming community. While Nintendo clinched recognition with two titles in the coveted Game of the Year category, a significant buzz ignited around the Best Indie Game classification, particularly highlighting the inclusion of Dave The Diver.
Despite sporting a lo-fi aesthetic and mechanics, Dave The Diver was crafted by MintRocket, a subsidiary under the wing of the billion-dollar South Korean gaming titan Nexon. This raised pertinent questions about the essence of 'indie' games and where the boundaries lie. Geoff Keighley, the prominent figure behind The Game Awards, waded into the discussion during a recent Twitch Q&A, offering a balanced but expectedly diplomatic stance.
Keighley refrained from firmly asserting whether Dave The Diver truly fits the indie status quo, explaining that "independent" holds diverse interpretations. He deferred the final judgment to the award's jury, stating, "we defer to our jury [...] to make that determination of is something independent or not." However, he acknowledged the debate around the game's independent spirit, its relatively small scale, and budget, while acknowledging the involvement of a larger entity.
The Best Indie Game category houses contenders such as COCOON, Dredge, Sea of Stars, and Viewfinder alongside Dave The Diver.
Expressing openness to differing opinions about the TGA selections, Keighley acknowledged the need for reevaluation in defining such categories, musing, "moving forward, how do you define that category?" With ongoing discussions echoing throughout the gaming community, it's evident that the industry must confront these labels to evolve further.
